combat

[kuhm-bat, kom-bat, kuhm-, kom-bat, kuhm-]

verb (used with object)

combated, combating , combatted, combatting .

1. to fight or contend against; oppose vigorously.

   to combat crime.

   Synonyms: contest, struggle

verb (used without object)

combated, combating , combatted, combatting .

1. to battle; contend.

   to combat with disease.

   Synonyms: contest, struggle

noun

1. Military.,  active, armed fighting with enemy forces.

2. a fight, struggle, or controversy, as between two persons, teams, or ideas.

combat

noun

1. a fight, conflict, or struggle

2. 1. an action fought between two military forces

   2. ( as modifier )

      a combat jacket

3. a fight between two individuals; duel

4. fighting at close quarters

verb

1. (tr) to fight or defy

2. (intr; often foll by with or against) to struggle or strive (against); be in conflict (with)

   to combat against disease

Other Word Forms

• combatable adjective
• combater noun
• intercombat noun
• precombat noun
• self-combating adjective
• uncombatable adjective
• uncombated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of combat¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Middle French combat (noun), combattre (verb), from Late Latin combattere, from Latin com- com- + Late Latin battere, from Latin battuere “to strike, beat”

Word History and Origins

Origin of combat¹

C16: from French, from Old French combattre, from Vulgar Latin combattere (unattested), from Latin com- with + battuere to beat, hit

Synonym Study

See fight

Example Sentences

The blaze had grown to 200 acres by 8 p.m., leading authorities to expand evacuation warnings as hand crews and a firefighting helicopter worked to combat the flames.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent days, the Israeli military has intensified air and ground assaults on the outskirts of Gaza City, which it has said is a Hamas stronghold and declared a "dangerous combat zone".

From BBC

The signal for help was created in April 2020 by the Canadian Women’s Foundation to help combat the spike in domestic violence during the isolation of the pandemic.

From Los Angeles Times

They also reported that some combat units were seeing lower turnout than for previous call-ups, with reservists who had already served several tours during the 22-month war requesting exemptions for personal or financial reasons.

From BBC

Meanwhile, the Justice Department is attempting to gain access to confidential voter information in at least 21 states to combat “fraud.”

From Salon

Related Words

• action 
• conflict 
• contest 
• encounter 
• engagement 
• fight 
• fray 
• shootout 
• skirmish 
• struggle 
• war 
• warfare 

When To Use

What does combat mean?

Combat is most commonly used in a military context to refer to active fighting among opposing armies. To engage in combat is to engage in fighting.This kind of combat most commonly takes place on a battlefield or warzone on the ground (called a combat zone). Aerial combat involves fighting in the air among air forces.Hand-to-hand combat involves close fighting, often literally with one’s hands.Combat is often used as a modifier (adjective) in terms that refer to things related to or involving combat, such as combat training, combat medic, combat fatigue, and combat boots.Combat is sometimes used more broadly or figuratively to refer to active conflict between two people or groups, as in The two corporations are preparing to do combat in the courtroom. The term verbal combat refers to fighting with words.Combat is also commonly used as a verb meaning to oppose or work to defeat. It’s especially used when the thing to be defeated is intangible or abstract, as in We need to combat climate change or Our organization works to combat poverty. The figurative senses of the verbs fight and battle are close synonyms of this sense of combat.The sides engaging in combat can be called combatants. The adjective combative means inclined to fight.Example: The objective of basic training is to prepare our soldiers for combat.