combatant

noun

Definition of combatantnext
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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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 Campbell Avenue is believed to be the only thoroughfare in the United States named after an enemy combatant. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026 Advertisement The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that over 1,700 Hezbollah combatants died during operations in Lebanon. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 June 2026 But the combatants kept grasping and tugging each other off-balance. — Bob Brody, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026 The combatants have now renewed their fragile truce, which has repeatedly threatened US-Iran negotiations. — Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for combatant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatant
  1. soldier
  2. fighter
  3. warrior
  4. trooper
Noun
  • All the gold is gone, and there’s barely enough to pay her soldiers, let alone throw a lavish coronation.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Thirty-two Cuban soldiers working security for Maduro were killed in the raid.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of soldier
Noun
  • And Germany’s air force chief said the country will need to keep buying weapons like fighter jets from the US amid Russian aggression.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
  • Despite some small wins at the height of the movement, what conservative populists wanted, more than anything, was a fighter.
    — David M. Drucker, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
Definition of fighter
Noun
  • Your 7th House of Partnership asks for steady courage as the nurturing Moon conjoins warrior Mars there, so connection wants brave honesty without sharp edges.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026
  • In 2021, Fresno High School changed its mascot from a warrior to an image of one of its main buildings, Royce Hall, featuring an owl and an international baccalaureate symbol.
    — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of warrior
Noun
  • During the holiday weekend in 2025, troopers responded to 5,110 calls for service, 528 traffic services, 1,219 traffic stops, 29 DUIs and 330 motor vehicle crashes, 35 with injuries and three with fatal injuries in Southbury and Prospect.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 July 2026
  • When the vehicle sped away instead, the troopers pursued the Dodge.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of trooper

Browse Nearby Words

combat
combatant
combatants
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Cite this Entry

“Combatant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatant. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on combatant

Nglish: Translation of combatant for Spanish Speakers

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