hors de combat

adverb or adjective

hors de com·bat | \ ˌȯr-də-kōⁿ-ˈbä

How to pronounce hors de combat (audio)

\

Definition of hors de combat

: out of combat : disabled

Examples of hors de combat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The core principle of humane warfare is that fighters may kill one another at any time, excepting those who are rendered hors de combat, and must avoid targeting civilians. — Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, "America’s War on Syrian Civilians," 14 Dec. 2020 Joakim Nordstrom and defensemen Kevan Miller and John Moore are hors de combat. — BostonGlobe.com, "DALLAS — Back on the horse, the Bruins were due to take their first morning skate of the 2019-20 season at AmericanAirlines Center at approximately 11:30 Eastern time Thursday. Here are five points of interest before they saddle up and ride out to face the Stars Thursday night:," 4 Oct. 2019 Among the missing bodies against the Caps were Patrice Bergeron (new to the hors de combat list), Jake DeBrusk, and Torey Krug (placed on the IR on Saturday). — BostonGlobe.com, "Coyle's quick one-timer," 16 Nov. 2019 Based on what Cassidy told NESN postgame, the 33-year-old Krejci likely went hors de combat because of a cross-check to his right arm by the Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf. — BostonGlobe.com, "■ Bruce Cassidy can’t really complain. His Bruins stood 5-1-0, tied for second in the league’s overall standings, at the end of business on Monday. But there was clearly concern in the coach’s voice following the win over Anaheim that featured David Pastrnak’s career-high four-goal bounty.," 16 Oct. 2019 In just two weeks the likes of Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Sam Darnold, Darnold’s backup Trevor Siemian, Nick Foles and possibly Cam Newton have been rendered hors de combat. — Gary Peterson, The Mercury News, "49ers are No. 1! (In preparedness for a quarterback emergency)," 18 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hors de combat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about hors de combat

Listen to Our Podcast about hors de combat

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries near hors de combat

Statistics for hors de combat

Last Updated

22 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Hors de combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hors%20de%20combat. Accessed 16 Jan. 2021.

WORD OF THE DAY

effusive

Listen to the pronunciation of effusive

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words of Snow and Ice Quiz

Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Anagram puzzles meet word search.