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 other flags allowed are for military branches, prisoners of war or those missing in action, Indian tribes and the official flags of Idaho schools.
—Idaho Statesman, 6 July 2025
Junior, 18 at the time, was reported missing in action on Dec. 6, 1950.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
The slick series, populated with young up-and-comer actors led by Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan and Anthony Boyle, follows men from the 100th Bomber Group, who flew dangerous raids into enemy territory and were far more likely than infantrymen to be killed or missing in action.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 14 June 2025
His mother gave him the name of her cousin Thomas Kelly, who was 21 years old when he was reported missing in action.
—CBS News, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for missing in action
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Idaho Statesman, 6 July 2025
Junior, 18 at the time, was reported missing in action on Dec. 6, 1950.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
The slick series, populated with young up-and-comer actors led by Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan and Anthony Boyle, follows men from the 100th Bomber Group, who flew dangerous raids into enemy territory and were far more likely than infantrymen to be killed or missing in action.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 14 June 2025
His mother gave him the name of her cousin Thomas Kelly, who was 21 years old when he was reported missing in action.
—CBS News, 26 May 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 14 Jul. 2025.
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