missing in action
adjective
: missing and unable to be confirmed as captured or killed following military action
a soldier who was declared missing in action
The 1st Cavalry Division casualties in Operation PERSHING totalled 852 troopers killed in action, 22 missing in action, 286 killed in noncombat circumstances …—
Shelby L. Stanton
—often used figuratively for someone or something notably or unexpectedly missing, absent, or inactiveShelby L. StantonMost readers expect an encyclopedia to give the judgment of scholars—a group largely missing in action here.—Julia Vitullo-Martin
Julia Vitullo-MartinThe movie itself has just resurfaced after having been missing in action for some time.—Video Review
Video ReviewBut lots of hair had turned gray (my own included); lots more was missing in action.—Joseph Epstein
Joseph EpsteinExamples of missing in action in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The fallout from the assault has thrown city leadership into turmoil, as Mayor Aftab Pureval was missing in action for several days following the incident, leading to the local Fraternal Order Police (FOP) unanimously voting no-confidence in him.
—FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Their two All-Star starters, Crow-Armstrong and Tucker, both had been missing in action during this crucial month of August.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Cornyn laid into Paxton for his recent trip to Europe, saying Abbott had to use his own lawyers to sue the Democrats because his rival was missing in action.
—The Hill, 6 Aug. 2025
Yet with three of its six members missing in action, key decisions relating to operations, planning, and force development may be delayed until new permanent members are appointed.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for missing in action
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FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Their two All-Star starters, Crow-Armstrong and Tucker, both had been missing in action during this crucial month of August.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Cornyn laid into Paxton for his recent trip to Europe, saying Abbott had to use his own lawyers to sue the Democrats because his rival was missing in action.
—The Hill, 6 Aug. 2025
Yet with three of its six members missing in action, key decisions relating to operations, planning, and force development may be delayed until new permanent members are appointed.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for missing in action
Cite this Entry
“Missing in action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missing%20in%20action. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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