Using "combat" as a noun:
* The soldiers engaged in fierce combat for hours. (Here, "combat" refers to the act of fighting itself.)
* The new weapon was designed for close-quarters combat. (Here, "combat" refers to a specific type of fighting.)
* The team's strategy focused on avoiding direct combat. (Here, "combat" refers to the fighting in general.)
Using "combat" as a verb:
* The firefighters bravely combatted the raging blaze. (Here, "combatted" means to fight against something.)
* The government is working to combat poverty and hunger. (Here, "combat" means to take action against something.)
* The boxer skillfully combatted his opponent's attacks. (Here, "combatted" means to fight back against someone.)