Words / C1

KOMB-at/ˈkɒmbæt/

As a verb here, combat means take action against something harmful: combat fraud, combat climate change. Fight is plainer; tackle is common in British news. Combat as a noun is fighting (in combat). Do not combat a person in this academic sense — oppose them.

Meaning

To take action in order to stop or reduce something harmful.

Examples

• “New laws aim to combat online fraud.”
• “The city wants to combat food waste in schools.”
• “New tools help researchers combat plagiarism.”

Good to know

combat + problem (verb). Noun: in combat. Plain: fight / tackle.

Near in meaning

tackle

New