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
Since then, the Israeli military’s operation in Gaza has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
—
Filip Timotija, The Hill, 22 Aug. 2025
The ministry does not say how many were civilians or combatants but says women and children make up around half of those killed.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
The overhaul has been described as the most extensive refit of any Russian surface combatant in decades, to make Admiral Nakhimov the future flagship of the Russian Navy.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Instead of two dozen players speeding across a relaxing open world, Kirby Air Riders has just six combatants duking it out on tight, frantic courses.
—PC Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Filip Timotija, The Hill, 22 Aug. 2025
The ministry does not say how many were civilians or combatants but says women and children make up around half of those killed.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
The overhaul has been described as the most extensive refit of any Russian surface combatant in decades, to make Admiral Nakhimov the future flagship of the Russian Navy.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Instead of two dozen players speeding across a relaxing open world, Kirby Air Riders has just six combatants duking it out on tight, frantic courses.
—PC Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatant
Noun
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To maintain tanks’ relevance, Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have covered them in different configurations of armor as ad hoc solutions to rapidly shifting tactics.—
Marco Hernandez,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed soldiers had been sent to the area, per the BBC.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lily the entrepreneur-warrior-hunter may try to actively determine the course of her own life, but she’s also portrayed as passively in the tidal grip of large impersonal forces like money, desire, and different social rules for women and men.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
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When asked about funny memories with the cast — which included the likes of Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Liv Tyler, and Ian McKellen — Bloom said that his glamorous elf warrior, Legolas, was subject to great ridicule among his costars.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The parade, watched by thousands of people in Beijing and broadcast live, showcased ranks of marching soldiers, missiles, modern fighter jets and other military might as China seeks to wield greater influence on the global stage.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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The former pro wrestler stars as MMA fighter Mark Kerr, who weathers ups and downs alongside his wife, Dawn (Emily Blunt), to become a champion.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Though Smith was charged with four counts of assault for scaring and endangering the villagers, troopers did not say he was involved in his mother’s death.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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But a federal judge ruled against the police agency, concluding there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial — including a neighbor's cell phone video that captured a trooper punching the man in the face and slamming him to the ground.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combatant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatant. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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