as in soldier
a person, group, or country that fights in a war or battle
Britain was a major combatant in World War II.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combatant
Medical facilities often come under fire in wars, but combatants usually depict such incidents as accidental or exceptional, since hospitals enjoy special protection under international law.
—
Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Joseph Dempsey, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, wrote in a January blog post that Pyongyang has only two principal surface combatants.
—Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
Although the president can waive the requirement, the chairman is supposed to have previously served as vice chairman, as chief of one of the branches of the armed forces, or as a combatant commander, which Caine has not.
—Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
Israel's offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since a ceasefire ended about two weeks ago, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say whether those killed are civilians or combatants.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Joseph Dempsey, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, wrote in a January blog post that Pyongyang has only two principal surface combatants.
—Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
Although the president can waive the requirement, the chairman is supposed to have previously served as vice chairman, as chief of one of the branches of the armed forces, or as a combatant commander, which Caine has not.
—Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
Israel's offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since a ceasefire ended about two weeks ago, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say whether those killed are civilians or combatants.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatant
Noun
-
Just outside our car, soldiers beat down the door of a house and piled in.—
Antón Barba-Kay,
The Atlantic,
26 Apr. 2025
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Three Indian army officials said that Pakistani soldiers used small arms to fire at an Indian position in Kashmir late Thursday.—
Time,
Time,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Fans of horror, science fiction, fantasy, romance and young adult novels will feel right at home, surrounded by book covers illustrating warriors, dragons, monsters and magical lands.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Apr. 2025
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Users can personalize the prompt by describing features, aesthetic or desired theme—such as space explorer, fantasy warrior or tech ninja.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Ukraine has previously said Russia used first person-view (FPV) drones commonly found along the front lines to attack Ukrainian soldiers in defensive positions, forcing the fighters to move into the direct line of Russian artillery.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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After Affleck’s take on the Marvel hero, Netflix adapted the comic book about a blind lawyer turned crime fighter into a TV show.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That same day, Proctor, the state trooper, was relieved of duty, state police Col. John Mawn announced.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2025
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The agency did not address questions on why the trooper made the arrest despite William’s court order.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combatant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatant. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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