as in soldier
a person, group, or country that fights in a war or battle
Britain was a major combatant in World War II.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of combatant
One of the largest warships in the fleet The Type 055 is the largest surface combatant currently operated by the Chinese Navy.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Mar. 2026
Israel did not directly fight as a combatant in the 2003 Iraq War.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
There was a tumultuous battle between the combatants but alas, the giant scorpion fatally bit Artemis’ boyfriend.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Of course, military operations often have to be kept under wraps to protect combatants and keep enemies off the scent.
—Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Mar. 2026
Israel did not directly fight as a combatant in the 2003 Iraq War.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
There was a tumultuous battle between the combatants but alas, the giant scorpion fatally bit Artemis’ boyfriend.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Of course, military operations often have to be kept under wraps to protect combatants and keep enemies off the scent.
—Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatant
Noun
-
The Israeli military’s top general took swift action, suspending all operational activities of a reserve battalion involved in the detention of CNN’s team in the West Bank – including dismissing one soldier from military service.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Like his comic book backstory, Castle is a former soldier who goes on a revenge mission after his wife and children were murdered.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Just like that, her career as a professional fighter was over.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
By Saturday, the Pentagon had surged more than 150 aircraft to join the effort to rescue the weapons system officer, Dude 44B, including 64 fighter jets, four bombers, 48 refuelers, 13 rescue planes and 26 intelligence and jamming aircraft, sources told CBS News.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mortal Kombat 2 will focus on the Mortal Kombat tournament, the big battle in which warriors from different realms face off against one another in a fight to the bloody finish.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Cheek plates depict a warrior about to kill a sacrificial ram.—
Ryan Brennan
April 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Two more passengers were taken to the hospital, one by helicopter and another by ambulance, troopers said.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Players create an agent who is among the first wave of Strategic Homeland Division troopers activated during the crisis.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combatant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatant. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
