French word

combattre

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃batʁ/

Meaning

  • verbfight

Example

Nous combattons ensemble.

We fight together.

Illustration for combattre (fight)

More examples

Ils combattent la pauvreté dans leur communauté.

They are fighting poverty in their community.

Core concept

A force meets an opponent, disease, or injustice and presses forward to overcome it.

Common phrases

  • combattre une maladie

    fight a disease

  • combattre la pauvreté

    fight poverty

  • combattre un adversaire

    fight an opponent

Similar words

se battre: Engage in a direct physical fight with an opponent.
lutter: Strive steadily to overcome difficulties or injustice.
affronter: Face an opponent or difficult situation without fear.
résister: Stand firm against attack or pressure and refuse to yield.

Definition in French

Opposer des forces, des moyens ou des actions pour vaincre un adversaire, une maladie ou une injustice.

Word origin

Combattre comes from Old French combatre, formed from Latin com- and battuere, 'to strike', with an earlier sense of striking together.

Usage tips

  • Combattre commonly takes a direct object, as in combattre une maladie, while lutter commonly uses contre for the opponent or cause.

Other meanings

  • struggleverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word