combat
word
Definition
As a noun, it means fighting in a war or conflict. As a verb, it means to try to stop, reduce, or fight against something harmful, such as crime, disease, or poverty.
Usage & Nuances
Very common in formal, news, and policy language: 'combat crime', 'combat climate change', 'combat corruption'. As a noun, it often appears in military contexts. In everyday speech, people often prefer 'fight' as a verb because it sounds more natural and less formal.
Example Sentences
The army saw heavy combat near the border.
basic
The city is trying to combat air pollution.
basic
Doctors work hard to combat the disease.
basic
The new program was designed to combat online fraud.
natural
They launched a campaign to combat fake news.
natural
After years in combat, he found civilian life difficult at first.
natural