combat

Noun

• the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
  • a fight broke out at the hockey game
    
  • there was fighting in the streets
    
  • the unhappy couple got into a terrible scrap
    

• an engagement fought between two military forces

Verb

• battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
  • The Kurds are combating Iraqi troops in Northern Iraq
    
  • We must combat the prejudices against other races
    
  • they battled over the budget
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  fight , fighting , scrap , armed combat , battle