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 conflict has resulted in the forced displacement of almost the entire population of over 2 million people, and the killing of about 55,000 combatants and civilians, some 3,000 of whom were killed since the most recent ceasefire ended in March, according to Hamas.
—
Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2025
This figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
The war has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says more than half of the dead were women and children.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
The war has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2025
This figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
The war has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says more than half of the dead were women and children.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
The war has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatant
Noun
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The victim was a 20-year-old American soldier stationed in West Germany, Edward Pimental, for whom the group set a murderous honeytrap.—
Katja Hoyer,
semafor.com,
19 July 2025
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The disarmament ceremony signaled an end to the armed conflict between the PKK and Turkey, one that has killed around 40,000 militants, soldiers, and civilians since 1984.—
Ragip Soylu,
Time,
18 July 2025
Noun
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In that story, Kara is approached by galactic warrior Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley), who asks for help hunting down those who killed her father and destroyed her world.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
11 July 2025
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In a futuristic and extremely crime-ridden Detroit, cop Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) is killed in the line of duty and brought back as a cyborg warrior by a shady corporation.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Jumper, who later helped create the Navy’s Top Gun fighter pilot school in Miramar, was at the center of the action.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
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Even so, tensions with China are driving the Philippines' ongoing $35 billion military modernization program, which includes efforts to acquire more capable fighter jets and warships.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Noun
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House left the scene and reportedly went on to carjack a vehicle after shooting the trooper, investigators said.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
16 July 2025
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Multiple churchgoers gunned down after suspect shoots state trooper in wild rampage.—
,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combatant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatant. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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