as in soldier
a person, group, or country that fights in a war or battle
Britain was a major combatant in World War II.
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Recent Examples of combatant
The rapid reconfiguration suggests the ship has shifted roles in a matter of days, from an arsenal-style surface combatant to what appears to be a multi-role drone carrier, The War Zone reported.
—
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
The Navy's Zumwalt‑class destroyers — the largest surface combatants currently at 15,000 tons — were reduced from 32 to three ships due to spiraling costs.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
The biggest surface combatants in the US Navy fleet now are the Zumwalt destroyers, which displace 15,000 tons.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
Collins says there is no way the Israelis could have confused them with combatants.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
The Navy's Zumwalt‑class destroyers — the largest surface combatants currently at 15,000 tons — were reduced from 32 to three ships due to spiraling costs.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
The biggest surface combatants in the US Navy fleet now are the Zumwalt destroyers, which displace 15,000 tons.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
Collins says there is no way the Israelis could have confused them with combatants.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatant
Noun
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Lockheed Martin revealed that the NGSRI offering is being developed as a 21st Century Security solution that meets all soldier safety and performance needs.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
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An old photograph from the 1940s had resurfaced, showing the home with the porch intact and a soldier seated on the front steps.—
Gina Mayfield,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The company grabbed global attention after China, the world’s largest miner and processor of rare earths, tightened its supply of the critical metals needed to make everything from chips and cars to fighter jets starting last December.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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Syrian forces are hunting ISIS fugitives after dozens escaped from a prison in northeastern Syria, the interior ministry said, as the government moves to take territory from Kurdish fighters.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Build a Snowman Think beyond your traditional snowman and create your own fairytale version, such as a snow princess or snow warrior using dress-up items your kids already have at home.—
Mia Taylor,
Parents,
7 Jan. 2026
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Newsom has also taken his happy-if-bitchy-warrior act into hostile territory by appearing on MAGA podcasts.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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An Oregon man on Monday led Idaho state troopers on a 71-mile chase on Interstate 84 from Elmore County west to Payette County, authorities said in a news release.—
David Staats,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
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As the trooper approached the dog, which police say appeared to be a stray, the dog bit him on the hand, causing one of his fingers to bleed.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combatant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatant. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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