English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Combat Pronunciation
Combat is pronounced KAHM-bat, IPA /ˈkɑmbæt/.
KAHM-bat
US /ˈkɑmbæt/
Syllables: KAHM · bat (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
noun and verb: Fighting between armed forces, and also to fight against something such as a disease or a trend.
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Two Ways to Say Combat
The pronunciation changes with the meaning or the part of speech. The form above is the most common; the others are:
- verb (to combat something): /kəmˈbæt/ (kuhm-BAT)
Combat in a Sentence
- He saw combat in two campaigns.
- New rules were brought in to combat fraud.
- The unit trains for close combat in built-up areas.
Common Mispronunciations of Combat
Not KOHM-bat
The b is fully said here, unlike the silent one in comb. An mb only goes quiet at the end of a word.
Not KAHM-bat (for the verb)
Many speakers move the weight to the end when they use it as a verb: to kuhm-BAT something. The noun keeps the front beat.
Tip: Combative and combatant both put the punch on the second beat, whatever you do with combat itself.
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