noun

fighting between armed forces.

five Hurricanes were shot down in combat

battle,fighting,action,hostilities,conflict,armed conflict,war,warfare,bloodshed

verb

take action to reduce or prevent (something bad or undesirable).

an effort to combat drug trafficking

fight,battle against,do battle with,wage war against,take up arms against,strive against,contend with,tackle,attack,counter,oppose,resist,withstand,stand up to,face up to,make a stand against,put up a fight against,confront,defy,obstruct,impede,hinder,block,thwart,frustrate,inhibit,restrain,stop,halt,put an end to,prevent,check,stem,curb