# combats

/kəmˈbæts/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/combats
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

to fight against something harmful and try to stop it, like disease, crime, or poverty.

For teachers: to oppose, fight against, or seek to prevent something harmful such as disease, crime, or inequality. Often used for organized or sustained efforts rather than physical fighting alone.

## Examples

- She combats stress by walking every morning.
- The city program combats food waste by collecting unsold meals from shops each evening.
- The new policy combats rising prices by limiting rents in areas where young families struggle most.

## Pitfalls

- Not "combat against poverty" but "combat poverty" — Combat is transitive — it takes a direct object without 'against'.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.