Synonyms of fighternext
: one that fights: such as
a(1)
(2)
: a pugnacious or game individual
b
: an airplane of high speed and maneuverability with armament designed to destroy enemy aircraft

Examples of fighter in a Sentence

the debate whether more fighters are needed to bring order to that war-torn country a program at the community center for training local youths as fighters
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
China holds a trump card in rare earths — critical minerals necessary for making many items, from smartphones to electric vehicles and fighter jets. Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 In addition, two Romanian F-16 fighter jets were deployed to destroy a naval drone seen near a major Black Sea gas project, Romania’s acting Defense Minister Radu Miruta said. Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Of course, this horrid wave of diarrhea-inflicting illness wasn’t dumped from the sky by a crown-sporting octogenarian president zooming around in a fighter jet. Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026 De la Espriella’s first airstrike in office killed two ELN fighters on the Colombian side of the border. Adam Shanks, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fighter

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fighter was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Fighter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fighter. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

: one that fights:
c
: a fast airplane armed with weapons for destroying enemy aircraft

More from Merriam-Webster on fighter

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster