combats 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of combat
1
as in fights
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict a general eager to combat the enemy on his own ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposes
to strive to reduce or eliminate must marshal all of our resources to combat this disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

combats

2 of 2

noun

plural of combat
1
as in actions
active fighting during the course of a war a soldier who served throughout the war without actually seeing combat

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in skirmishes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups the two stags entered a furious combat for dominance of the herd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in battles
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the fierce ideological combat between the religionists and the secularists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of combats
Verb
The Chinese government firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with the law. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The Fed typically combats inflation by raising its benchmark interest rate to slow borrowing and spending and cool the economy. — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Zuckerberg also published a lengthy manifesto laying out his vision and approach to AI, attempting to assuage wide-ranging concerns about AI as the company combats criticisms about its data center buildout and AI smart glasses. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 One of the ways Landers combats this tendency is to be radically transparent. — Mark C. Perna, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Whereas Kiana Murden, Vogue’s beauty shopping editor, says the perfect SPF is one that’s both lightweight and combats oily, prone skin. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 17 July 2026 The presence of local brick-and-mortar romance bookstores not only combats the stigma but also fosters connection among readers searching for community beyond their screens. — Katelyn Frey, The Conversation, 10 July 2026 LilyAna’s version is also packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for deep penetrating hydration that combats any of the infamous drying side effects associated with the ingredient. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 16 June 2026 Saturday’s blaze comes as the city combats a massive increase in fatal fires this year. — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
Noun
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment My medium skin tone is prone to dark spots, but the Sunday Riley Good Genes elixir combats scaring. — Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle, 4 June 2026 His ability to reset and stay attached combats longer, more powerful opponents. — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Bodies in motion are intercut with a bespoke gun factory’s grinding gears; human combats are juxtaposed with VR imagery or first-person shooter games. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026 This proactive boundary setting manages stakeholder expectations, combats scope creep and forces ruthless focus on the absolute core, driving true agility over bloat. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combats
  1. fights
  2. opposes
  3. actions
  4. skirmishes
  5. battles
  6. fields
  7. clashes
  8. rivalries
Verb
  • Rodriguez has long touted himself as being someone who fights big corporations.
    — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Two fights Washington has been building toward this year came to a head Monday.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fights
Verb
  • The Moon opposes Venus earlier today, reminding us that our needs and other people’s needs may not automatically line up.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Chinese government firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with the law.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of opposes
Noun
  • This was reflected both in the administration’s statements and actions against the SPLC.
    — Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Tuesday's meeting will also focus on whether lower costs are being passed through to consumers and on additional actions the administration could take to reduce prices at the pump, the official said.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of actions
Noun
  • Its outcome will be a major milestone in the decades-long political skirmishes over CEQA.
    — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In 1988, for instance, Khomeini finally agreed to end his war with Iraq after the United States began engaging Iranian naval ships in direct skirmishes, leading him to fear that Reagan might formally align with Saddam Hussein’s regime.
    — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of skirmishes
Noun
  • The policy updates come amid the slew of ongoing legal battles by players who were originally part of the 2022 high school recruiting class seeking a fifth year of collegiate eligibility.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Then came battles with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.
    — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of battles
Noun
  • Twelve other experts from a cross section of relevant fields including public health, pulmonology, and critical care joined this group to think together about how to galvanize new solutions.
    — Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Save for the close second Renegade ran to Golden Tempo in the Belmont, the Belmont winner hasn’t been tested by the fields, which is to say, by traffic, as Renegade has.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of fields
Noun
  • The Premier League’s 2026-27 handbook contains 29 rules about ‘Players’ Identification and Strip’, spanning topics like sponsorship, shirt numbers, captain’s armbands, and preventing kit clashes with opponents and match officials.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Police special forces responded with flash grenades during the clashes, which officials said lasted until the early hours of Sunday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of clashes
Noun
  • College football is almost here, bringing back decades-long rivalries, close games and, of course, die-hard fan bases.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Week 1 is full of national showdowns and nonregion rivalries.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of rivalries

Browse Nearby Words

combativeness
combats
combe
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Cite this Entry

“Combats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combats. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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