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combat

combat

599 3.5
A fight between soldiers or armed groups in a war
  • noun
  • /ˈkɒm.bæt/
: combate
  • The soldiers received training to prepare for combat in difficult terrains.
  • combat readiness
  • engage in combat
  • soldiers in combat

Then she comes to close combat and attacks as well.

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Examples

  • This is a combat zone.

  • Have you ever been in a combat situation?

  • Then she comes to close combat and attacks as well.

  • Not in training, not in combat, not even in the movies.

  • And they had kids on the front line of combat who were actually having to do all the work.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We get to test military systems in combat in Ukraine.

  • Testing the others' abilities under combat conditions was all good and proper.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • It was supposed to be a security detail, but it ended up being actual combat.

  • The 86th Division never got into combat, or even into the reserve lines.

    Academic text (1990)
  • It probably isn't the first time you've lost a friend in combat.

Synonyms

fight
vscombat
∞ 1.0

A physical struggle between people or groups, like a boxing match

is used more for military or wartime encounters, not any general struggle
battle
vscombat
∞ 1.4

A violent fight between armed groups in a war

is the general word for such wartime fighting between forces
fighting
vscombat
574 1.3

A physical struggle between people or groups that involves hitting and sometimes weapons

is more specific to armed wartime clashes rather than all physical struggles
conflict
vscombat
539 2.7

A violent fight between armed groups in a war

is a more general term for wartime encounters, not limited to only severe cases
confrontation
vscombat
230 4.5

A situation when people or groups meet in direct conflict, often angrily

is more narrowly about armed wartime engagements, not general hostile encounters
action
vscombat
195 6.9

Fighting between soldiers in a war

is the ordinary term for a fight or battle between opposing forces
military action
vscombat
118 3.7

An action by soldiers that involves fighting

is the general word for any wartime fight or battle between forces
clash
vscombat
117 3.2

A short conflict between people or groups

is more specifically used for wartime armed fights rather than any disagreement
showdown
vscombat
108 4.3

A final meeting where two sides face each other to settle a dispute

is usually about armed wartime fighting, not only decisive non-military contests
assault
vscombat
  • Specialized
100 6.9

Close fighting during the final part of a military attack

is the broader term for any fight between opposing forces, not just climax actions
warfare
vscombat
84 5.0

Groups or companies compete strongly to gain power

is narrower, meaning actual armed fighting between opposing forces during war
engagement
vscombat
  • Specialized
73 7.1

A fight between armed groups during a war

is a general term for wartime fights, used in broader contexts
shootout
vscombat
  • NSFW
53 5.6

A violent fight in which people fire guns at each other

is the broader wartime fight term, not restricted to gun-only violent clashes
firefight
vscombat
46 6.5

A short battle where armed people shoot at each other

is a general term for wartime fights, not limited to gun exchanges
hostilities
vscombat
  • Formal
45 7.4

Fighting between two countries or groups during a war

is the single incident of fighting rather than multiple acts or operations
skirmish
vscombat
39 6.4

A brief unplanned fight between small groups, often during a larger conflict

is a general wartime clash, not limited to short or small-scale incidents
gunfight
vscombat
30 3.2

A short fight where people shoot at each other with guns

is used more generally for fights in war, not only brief gun exchanges
dogfight
vscombat
8 7.0

A close, fierce fight between fighter planes or in a contest

is a wider term for wartime fighting, not limited to aircraft or contests
pitched battle
vscombat
6 8.0

A planned large fight where armies meet at an arranged time and place

is a broader term that includes all fights, not only planned, location-specific ones
armed combat
vscombat
2 4.9

A fight between soldiers or military groups using weapons

is the general term that covers fights whether or not weapons are used
gunfighting
vscombat
1 5.8

A violent clash where people shoot at each other with guns

is the general wartime fight term that covers many methods, not just firearms

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

A time when countries or groups do not fight

Compounds

A military action with fighting to capture or defend a place

14 5.5

An area where soldiers are actively fighting during a war

8 3.4

A strong boot with laces like the ones soldiers wear

combat-ready
  • Specialized
6 5.3

Fully prepared for immediate fighting, for example troops or equipment

4 6.0

A person who flies military planes to fight enemy aircraft

combat pay
  • Formal
4 5.0

Extra money paid to soldiers who serve in war zones

A fight between two people to settle a dispute, often on a battlefield

2 4.9

A fight between soldiers or military groups using weapons

combat casualty
  • Specialized
2 7.9

Loss or damage to military equipment during battle

combat area
  • Specialized
2 6.1

An area where soldiers fight the enemy

1 5.3

A navy ship built to fight at sea

A wound a soldier gets during fighting

combat fatigue
  • Archaic
1 7.6

A mental condition soldiers get after long fighting that causes extreme tiredness, anxiety, and nightmares

1 7.4

A city area known for crime and violence

A major part of the United States Air Force that operates fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, and rescue aircraft

An Algerian extremist Islamist group that split from another militant group and tried to overthrow the government while supporting al-Qaeda

combat intelligence
  • Specialized
1 6.8

Information about enemy forces and land needed to plan and carry out military actions

1 7.6

A heavy military machine like a tank with heavy metal plates, tracks, and a large gun for fighting

combat ceiling
  • Specialized
8.6

Highest altitude at which a military plane can still climb well in combat

combat neurosis
  • Archaic
8.4

Strong emotional problems soldiers get after war that cause worry and bad dreams

How Intense

battle
∞ 1.4
combat
599 3.5
fight
∞ 1.0
clash
117 3.2
skirmish
39 6.4

Surface Forms

combat singular
combats plural

Etymology

Combat comes from com- 'together' and the same root as beat and battle, which means 'to strike'. It gives the image of people coming together to strike each other, so combat means a fight or battle between opposing forces.