to fight against someone or something, to try to stop something unpleasant or harmful from happening or increasing

combat fatigue, combat ready, combat mission

hand-to-hand combat, combat boots, combat zone

Formal and Informal Expressions of combat

In different contexts, you can replace 'combat' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'confront, oppose' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'fight against, take on' is a commonplace synonym.

combat: Explore its Definition & Usage

combat Definition

1to fight against someone or something
2to try to stop something unpleasant or harmful from happening or increasing

Using combat: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "combat" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The soldiers were trained to combat the enemy.
Example
We need to combat climate change before it's too late.
Example
The government is taking measures to combat drug trafficking.
Example
She is determined to combat discrimination in the workplace.

combat Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for combat

Antonyms for combat

Idioms Using combat

combat fatigue
a state of extreme tiredness and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to stressful and traumatic situations, especially in war
Example
The soldiers suffered from combat fatigue after months of fighting.
combat ready
prepared and equipped for battle or other military operations
Example
The troops were combat ready and waiting for orders.
combat mission
a military operation with the objective of engaging the enemy in combat
Example
The soldiers were briefed on their combat mission before being deployed.

Phrases with combat

hand-to-hand combat
a physical fight between two people, without weapons
Example
The soldiers were trained in hand-to-hand combat.
combat boots
heavy-duty boots worn by soldiers for protection during combat
Example
He wore his combat boots to the military parade.
combat zone
an area where fighting is taking place or likely to take place
Example
The city was declared a combat zone due to the ongoing conflict.

Origins of combat

from Old French 'comabattre', meaning 'to fight'

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Summary: combat in Brief

The verb 'combat' [ˈkɒmbæt] means to fight against someone or something, or to try to stop something unpleasant or harmful from happening. It can refer to physical fighting, as in 'hand-to-hand combat,' or to more abstract struggles, such as 'She is determined to combat discrimination in the workplace.' Other phrases include 'combat boots' and 'combat mission.'