variants
or combatting
1
as in fighting
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 opposing
to strive to reduce or eliminate
must marshal all of our resources to combat this disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of combating
Booker, who is seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, made an explicit appeal to MAHA during a speech focused on combating the unhealthiness of the American food diet at the Center for American Progress’s Ideas Conference on Tuesday.
—
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2026
China denies the allegations, describing the facilities as vocational training centers aimed at combating extremism and terrorism.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
The dead hang strengthens the shoulders and decompresses the spine, combating the effects of gravity over time.
—Saralyn Ward, Health, 15 May 2026
Tea tree and eucalyptus oil have both proven to be very effective at combating fungal infections.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
In a retrial, though, the defense could take a different strategy for combatting that video evidence given Alex Murdaugh’s admissions.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The operation began in March 2025 as part of a partnership between the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team and nonprofit organization Our Rescue, which focuses on combating child exploitation.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Dozens of arrests have been announced in Riverside County on the heels of a year-long law enforcement operation focusing on combating child exploitation, according to prosecutors.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 12 May 2026
These types of images, and the vast array of data collected by Earth-observing missions like Landsat, help to support agriculture and farmers, scientists combatting climate change, and more.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 12 May 2026
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2026
China denies the allegations, describing the facilities as vocational training centers aimed at combating extremism and terrorism.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
The dead hang strengthens the shoulders and decompresses the spine, combating the effects of gravity over time.
—Saralyn Ward, Health, 15 May 2026
Tea tree and eucalyptus oil have both proven to be very effective at combating fungal infections.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
In a retrial, though, the defense could take a different strategy for combatting that video evidence given Alex Murdaugh’s admissions.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The operation began in March 2025 as part of a partnership between the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team and nonprofit organization Our Rescue, which focuses on combating child exploitation.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Dozens of arrests have been announced in Riverside County on the heels of a year-long law enforcement operation focusing on combating child exploitation, according to prosecutors.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 12 May 2026
These types of images, and the vast array of data collected by Earth-observing missions like Landsat, help to support agriculture and farmers, scientists combatting climate change, and more.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combating
Verb
-
After a limp 2-0 defeat at Lorient in mid-April, Benatia criticised the players for a lack of fighting spirit.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Democrats are also fighting among themselves.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
Verb
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As a maker, these opposing qualities are persistent and present throughout every part of the process.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
The Broncos literally presented the NFL’s toughest assignment for opposing quarterbacks.—
Sam McDowell
Updated May 19,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
As Africa's second-largest country by land area, Congo's provinces are far from one another and mostly battling conflict.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
The thesis of Brady’s commencement, though, was battling through adversity and never quitting, and the best way for Brady to tell his motivational message was by telling the story of his Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
As chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, I have been focused on reshoring critical supply chains, strengthening our technological edge and countering the CCP’s growing aggression.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
14 May 2026
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Andrés Spokoiny, the president and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network, estimated that the philanthropic sector has dedicated hundreds of thousands of dollars to countering antisemitism — regardless of its definition.—
James Pollard,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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