combat
v. · n.-
1 to fight against a problem (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto try to stop something bad from happening or getting worse.
to take active steps to reduce, prevent, or eliminate something undesirable. Transitive — takes a direct object representing the problem.
ExampleThe government is introducing new laws to combat climate change.
ExamplePublic health officials are working tirelessly to combat the spread of the virus by implementing strict quarantine measures and vaccination programmes.
UsageCommonly used with abstract nouns like 'crime', 'poverty', 'disease', or 'inflation'.
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2 a struggle for victory (n.) C1 Advanced Formala competition or struggle to win against an opponent.
a non-military struggle or contest between opposing individuals or ideas.
ExampleThe two politicians were locked in a verbal combat during the debate.
ExampleThe courtroom became an arena for intellectual combat as the two legal teams argued over the interpretation of the new statute.
16th century, borrowed from Middle French combat, deverbal from Old French combatre, from Vulgar Latin *combattere, from Latin com- (“with”) + battuere (“to beat, strike”).