Combat soldiers during peaceful moments like to reminisce of their halcyon days.
Source: tatoeba (273338)
Combat
/ˈkɑmˌbæt/
Synonyms for "combat" (250 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (50)
Noun(13 words)
actionaerial combataffrayall-out waraltercationantagonizeappeal to armsargumentarmed combatarmed conflictarmored combatattackbattlebattle royalbeat againstbeat up againstbelligerencebelligerencybickeringbloodshed
Strong matches (75)
close withcockfightcollidecome to blowscompetecompete withconflictconfrontationcontendcontend againstcontentioncontentiousnessconterminouscontestcontestationcontravenecontroversycut and thrustdebatedefy
Show 28 more words
demurdifferencedisagreementdisputationdisputedo battledogfightduelembroilmentencounterengageengagementenmityexchange blowsexchange of blowsexpostulatefencefeudfightfight a duelfight againstfightingfire fightfraygainsaygive and takegive satisfactiongrapple
Noun(21 words)
conflictconflicting goalsconflictscountercounteractscounteringcrusadesdeployeddogfightsduelingduellingduelseffortencountersfightingfightsfirefightfirefightingfirefightsfrontline
Show 1 more word
Adjective(2 words)
Related words (125)
grapple withground combathand-to-hand combathand-to-hand fighthostilitieshostilityhot warhouse-to-house combatjoin battlejoin battle withjostlejoustkilkenny catsla guerrelabor againstlitigationlogomachymight of armsmilitary operationsmilitate against
Show 72 more words
mix it upnaval combatoffer resistanceopen hostilitiesopen waropposeoppositionpaper warpassage of armspitched battlepolemicprotestquarrelquarrelingquarrelsomenessrasslereluctreluctateremonstraterepelresistresort to armsriotrivalrumblerun a tiltrunning fightscramblescrappingscrimmagescuffleserviceshooting warshoving matchskirmishsparsquabblingstand-up fightstate of warstemstem the tidestreet fightstrifestrivestrive againststrivingstrugglestruggle againsttake ontauromachythe swordthrust and parrytilttotal wartourneytraversetug-of-wartusslevendettavievie withwage warwarwar of wordswarfarewarmakingwarringwartimewithstandwordswranglingwrestle
Noun(27 words)
grapplinginitiativejoustinglutamalplaquetmartialmilitarymilitary briefingmitigatemudwrestleneutralizenon maoist campaignsaratoga battlescrapskirmishsnipingstrugglestrugglestacklethermopylae
Show 7 more words
Verb(6 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: fight, abukir, act against, action, active.
- Sentence evidence is available for combat, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "combat".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "combat"
Keep "combat" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "combat" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "combat", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "combat" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
14 entriesMore specific
14 entriesCollocations
11 entriesair combatarmed combatclose combatcombat doctrinecombat gearcombat helmetcombat operationscombat readinesscombat trainingcombat zonehand to hand combat
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesSample sentences
16 total sentences available.
He was sent into combat.
Source: tatoeba (300720)
In real combat, you must not forget that hesitation is a very dangerous thing.
Source: tatoeba (407538)
Stop maize monoculture, and reestablish multiple cropping, to combat the loss of landscape and soil diversity.
Source: tatoeba (430068)
Showing 4 of 16 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "combat"?
Closest matches include fight, abukir, act against, action, active.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "combat"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.