Combater

Combater is a Portuguese verb meaning to fight, to oppose, or to combat. It is used in both literal and figurative senses, ranging from military action to efforts against crime, disease, or social problems. The word commonly appears with direct objects or with prepositional phrases such as combater o crime, combater a violência, or combater doenças. It can also be used in expressions like “combater uma ameaça” or “combater a pobreza,” where the emphasis is on actively opposing a threat.

Etymology and related forms: Combater derives from the Latin combattere, via the Old French combattre, ultimately linked to a root meaning to strike or beat together. In modern Portuguese, it functions as a regular verb of the -er conjugation group, and its forms follow standard patterns for -er verbs across tenses and aspects. The noun form combat or combate exists in Portuguese, denoting a fight or battle rather than the verb itself.

Grammar and usage notes: As a transitive verb, combater typically requires a direct object or a complement indicating what is being fought or opposed. It can appear in formal and technical contexts, such as law enforcement, public health, and policy discourse, as well as in everyday speech. The verb often carries a proactive nuance, emphasizing action aimed at reducing or eliminating a threat.

See also: combat, combate, combativeness, fighting verbs in Portuguese. While Combater is primarily a verb in Portuguese, it may occasionally appear as a proper noun in niche contexts, though such uses are not widespread.