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 Ukrainian government does not disclose the number of soldiers missing in action.
—Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 5 May 2024
Finally, the Security Council remained missing in action.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2020
Between 4,000 and 9,000 German soldiers were killed, wounded or missing in action.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 6 June 2024
In those early days of his tenure, Sanofi was mostly missing in action.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune Europe, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for missing in action 
Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 5 May 2024
Finally, the Security Council remained missing in action.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2020
Between 4,000 and 9,000 German soldiers were killed, wounded or missing in action.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 6 June 2024
In those early days of his tenure, Sanofi was mostly missing in action.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune Europe, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for missing in action
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'missing in action.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 27 Jul. 2024.
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