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
He was initially reported as missing in action, the DPAA said, but investigators learned he had been captured after the plane was taken down.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2025
Aaron Hall is reportedly missing in action, according to Liza Gardner and her attorney, Tyrone Blackburn.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Among the 16 additional grails listed on the site, the usual steel suspects (the Royal Oak, the Nautilus and, of course, the Daytona) are missing in action.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2025
Today is the day Mark was to complete Cold Harbor, but the nimble refiner is missing in action and the file is stuck at 96 percent.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for missing in action
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Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2025
Aaron Hall is reportedly missing in action, according to Liza Gardner and her attorney, Tyrone Blackburn.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Among the 16 additional grails listed on the site, the usual steel suspects (the Royal Oak, the Nautilus and, of course, the Daytona) are missing in action.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2025
Today is the day Mark was to complete Cold Harbor, but the nimble refiner is missing in action and the file is stuck at 96 percent.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 13 Mar. 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 30 Apr. 2025.
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