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
Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants and cannot be independently verified by TIME.
—
Callum Sutherland, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
In southern Kherson province, five more non-combatants lost their lives, and 47 others were wounded.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Callum Sutherland, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
In southern Kherson province, five more non-combatants lost their lives, and 47 others were wounded.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for combatant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatant
Noun
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The Guard may have worn out its welcome, but soldiers were still assigned to the region.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Netzah Yehuda Battalion, formerly Nahal Haredi, enables Haredi men to serve as combat soldiers while observing strict religious practices.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Fallen warriors gather in Odin’s hall, Valhalla.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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This requires a lethal, agile, and forward deployed force—anchored by the warrior ethos and ready to defend our nation and its interests at a moment's notice.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Polish air force scrambled its own F-16 fighter jets, and the Royal Netherlands Air Force sent two F-35 fighters that were stationed in Poland.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Jenkins, a former Brevard County school board member and speech pathologist, released a launch video casting herself as a fighter for working families, drawing on her own experience working multiple jobs to make ends meet.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In February, state troopers violently broke up a march for suffrage, resulting in the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson, a church deacon protecting his family.—
Time,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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UMass Boston Police responded to the scene, as well as Boston police officers and Massachusetts State Police troopers.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combatant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatant. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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