English Dictionary

Definition of “combat

combat

Definitions

noun

  1. a fight, conflict, or struggle
    1. an action fought between two military forces
    2. ((as modifier)  ⇒ a combat jacket 
  2. See single combat
  3. See close combat

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 

Alternative Forms

comˈbatable adjective comˈbater noun

Word Origin

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

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= fight, battle against oppose, contest, engage, cope with resist, defy, withstand, struggle against contend with do battle with strive against

Usage examples

  • This could intrigue him enough to draw him back into combat.
    Val McDermid, THE LAST TEMPTATION (2002)
  • A potential treatment to combat infection with the deadly Ebola virus has shown promising results in a study of monkeys.
    New Scientist (2003)
  • Mr. Gittins followed through on promises to show that Gen. Sargeant has had no combat experience in F-16 fighter jets.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • To combat this the National Squad sessions have started early.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Traumatic experiences such as physical abuse, sexual abuse or combat can leave deep emotional scars.
    Paul Martin, MAKING HAPPY PEOPLE (2005)

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