noncombatant
noun
non·com·bat·ant
ˌnän-kəm-ˈba-tᵊnt 
also
ˌnän-ˈkäm-bə-tənt
: one that does not engage in combat: such as
a
: a member (such as a chaplain) of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting
b
: civilian
noncombatant
adjective
Examples of noncombatant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Recovering POWs and captive noncombatants is also a top priority in Kyiv, leading to quiet discussions with Moscow.
—
Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 May 2024
His cases there included the successful prosecution — in a 25-month trial — of a Croatian general who ordered the slaughter of Muslim noncombatants.
—Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
And of course, Israel itself lost nearly 700 civilians in the October 7 attacks, while many noncombatants are still held hostage by Hamas and other militant groups.
—Bryan Walsh, Vox, 26 May 2025
Anti-tank land mines cannot tell the difference between an enemy tank and a civilian car that drives over them, just as smaller anti-personnel mines are unable to distinguish whether they are being triggered by an enemy soldier or a noncombatant.
—John Ismay, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2024
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Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 May 2024
His cases there included the successful prosecution — in a 25-month trial — of a Croatian general who ordered the slaughter of Muslim noncombatants.
—Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
And of course, Israel itself lost nearly 700 civilians in the October 7 attacks, while many noncombatants are still held hostage by Hamas and other militant groups.
—Bryan Walsh, Vox, 26 May 2025
Anti-tank land mines cannot tell the difference between an enemy tank and a civilian car that drives over them, just as smaller anti-personnel mines are unable to distinguish whether they are being triggered by an enemy soldier or a noncombatant.
—John Ismay, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for noncombatant
Cite this Entry
“Noncombatant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noncombatant. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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