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
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Recent Examples of combating
But since the explosion of services like ChatGPT, some Wikipedians are spending a lot of time combatting AI slop introduced to the site by human editors who are using ChatGPT and other chatbots to write their entries.
—
Imogen West-Knights, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
But Darnold has made strides in combating that weakness.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
Mayor Karen Bass was concerned about legal liabilities for failures in combating the Palisades fire, the sources said.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Use Dryer Balls to Keep Sheets Separated Dryer balls are an excellent tool for combating tangled sheets.
—Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
Colombian officials had stressed that the meeting would focus on cooperation between the two governments on combating drug trafficking.
—Jorge Valencia, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The tribe has spearheaded several prevention efforts and has served as a vocal advocate to combatting the MMIP crisis.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
When that happens, the interest picture could get even worse than if the Fed hadn’t lowered its benchmark rate in the first place—via its failure to make the tough choice that combating inflation comes first.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Rodríguez did not provide a timeline for the closure or conversion of the site, but said the government was committed to transforming it into a space for community use and to combating corruption within the justice system.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Imogen West-Knights, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
But Darnold has made strides in combating that weakness.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
Mayor Karen Bass was concerned about legal liabilities for failures in combating the Palisades fire, the sources said.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Use Dryer Balls to Keep Sheets Separated Dryer balls are an excellent tool for combating tangled sheets.
—Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
Colombian officials had stressed that the meeting would focus on cooperation between the two governments on combating drug trafficking.
—Jorge Valencia, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The tribe has spearheaded several prevention efforts and has served as a vocal advocate to combatting the MMIP crisis.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
When that happens, the interest picture could get even worse than if the Fed hadn’t lowered its benchmark rate in the first place—via its failure to make the tough choice that combating inflation comes first.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Rodríguez did not provide a timeline for the closure or conversion of the site, but said the government was committed to transforming it into a space for community use and to combating corruption within the justice system.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combating
Verb
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My entire career has been dedicated to fighting crime, upholding the law, and protecting Texans—experience no other candidate can match.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Such a marathon is not unlike long weeks spent on the road competing, constantly fighting jet lag, and navigating limited options for fueling meals ahead of game time.—
Kayla Blanton,
Outside,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But most Jews have little trouble simultaneously affirming care and concern for Israel and Israelis and opposing Israeli policies, including the extended war in Gaza, the occupation of territories captured in 1967, and the expansion of settlements.—
Rabbi Jill Jacobs,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
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Trump then predicted that Mills’ political career would be over for opposing the order.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The show utilizes vivid color and energetic music to encourage kids to participate in the various adventures and activities, whether that’s mimicking Danny’s dance moves, flying like an airplane, or battling the aforementioned gravity-defying goldfish.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
14 Feb. 2026
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This motion makes New York the latest state in the national redistricting saga battling over its congressional map to reach the Supreme Court.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These include high-power microwave systems and lasers, capable of countering mega-constellations at low costs.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
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At a time when the British elite remained fixated with Latin and Greek, the modern languages provided generations of Irishmen and women with one way of countering Anglocentrism within Irish cultural life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combating. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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