as in soldiers
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 combatants
The use of the term caused alarm as international humanitarian law explicitly forbids armed forces from denying enemy combatants to surrender and instead killing them.
—
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Though active hostilities have paused for the moment, the conflict has already exacted a tragic toll on combatants and civilians alike, threatened global stability and underscored in stark relief the grim reality of war.
—William E. Lori, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Lebanese officials say more than 180 people killed were children, but have not said how many killed were combatants.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Growing evidence shows regional powers like the United Arab Emirates backing combatants behind the scenes.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Growing evidence shows regional powers like the United Arab Emirates backing combatants behind the scenes.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Iran has said that combatants in the war against it would remain blocked from passing through.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 12 Apr. 2026
The indictment alleged Smyles and Brooks allowed up to nine combatants to engage in fights that occurred at least five times over the six-month period.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The Chinese navy is the world’s largest by hull count, with a battle force of more than 370 ships and submarines and more than 140 major surface combatants.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Though active hostilities have paused for the moment, the conflict has already exacted a tragic toll on combatants and civilians alike, threatened global stability and underscored in stark relief the grim reality of war.
—William E. Lori, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Lebanese officials say more than 180 people killed were children, but have not said how many killed were combatants.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Growing evidence shows regional powers like the United Arab Emirates backing combatants behind the scenes.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Growing evidence shows regional powers like the United Arab Emirates backing combatants behind the scenes.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Iran has said that combatants in the war against it would remain blocked from passing through.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 12 Apr. 2026
The indictment alleged Smyles and Brooks allowed up to nine combatants to engage in fights that occurred at least five times over the six-month period.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The Chinese navy is the world’s largest by hull count, with a battle force of more than 370 ships and submarines and more than 140 major surface combatants.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatants
Noun
-
The parade featured a flyover by fighter planes above the Kremlin, and soldiers marched on the Red Square, in front of Lenin’s mausoleum.—
Zahra Ullah,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
The Israeli military said Hezbollah fired attack drones into Israel near the border with Lebanon, and three soldiers were wounded, one seriously, in one of the attacks.—
Bassem Mroue,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
State troopers have employed helicopters in the manhunt.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
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On Saturday, state troopers were notified that the DNA confirmed the skull belonged to Cranfield, according to state police.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
And today, as young fighters begin to be compared to him, there is no ego—only gratitude.—
Jorge Ebro
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
After an epic battle between fighters from Earthrealm and Outworld, MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan) heads to Hollywood in search of a new recruit.—
Nigel Smith,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The two men came into the fight after tons of trash talk and seemingly bad blood, but that was buried mid-fight as the two warriors repeatedly showed each other respect.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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Two warriors gleam in the midst of Indian Combat (1868) and continue their brawl to the death, one knife-edge away from mortality.—
Tyehimba Jess,
ARTnews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combatants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatants. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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