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
Carrie Ann Inaba was missing in action on the season 34 premiere of Dancing With the Stars.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
The week his Tiny Desk set hit YouTube, the song was milling around outside the top 10 of Adult R&B Airplay, missing in action on Rhythmic and just sneaking into the top 30 of Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
Today, the arithmetic is far less forgiving, and our Congress is missing in action.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 2 Sep. 2025
The filmmaker joined his stars Cate Blanchett, Charlotte Rampling, Vicky Krieps, Mayim Bialik, Luka Sabbat and Indya Moore for the red carpet festivities at Sala Grande, with only Adam Driver and Tom Waits missing in action.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for missing in action
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Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
The week his Tiny Desk set hit YouTube, the song was milling around outside the top 10 of Adult R&B Airplay, missing in action on Rhythmic and just sneaking into the top 30 of Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
Today, the arithmetic is far less forgiving, and our Congress is missing in action.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 2 Sep. 2025
The filmmaker joined his stars Cate Blanchett, Charlotte Rampling, Vicky Krieps, Mayim Bialik, Luka Sabbat and Indya Moore for the red carpet festivities at Sala Grande, with only Adam Driver and Tom Waits missing in action.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 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 18 Sep. 2025.
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