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 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
International law governing warfare bars strikes on structures, vehicles and people that are not military objectives and combatants.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
International law governing warfare bars strikes on structures, vehicles and people that are not military objectives and combatants.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
There was a tumultuous battle between the combatants but alas, the giant scorpion fatally bit Artemis’ boyfriend.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Of course, military operations often have to be kept under wraps to protect combatants and keep enemies off the scent.
—Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
As the name suggests, attack subs are designed to hunt and destroy other submarines, surface combatants (warships) and, if necessary, commercial vessels.
—James Dwyer, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
The administration has failed to provide any evidence that the people killed in the attacks were attempting to bring drugs into the country, and legal experts have taken umbrage at the assertion that drug traffickers can be considered armed combatants.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Warner Bros’ awards-season combatants Sinners and One Battle After Another and Netflix’s toon phenom KPop Demon Hunters took the top film prizes at 2026 annual ACE Eddie Awards, which were handed out Friday night at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
International law governing warfare bars strikes on structures, vehicles and people that are not military objectives and combatants.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
International law governing warfare bars strikes on structures, vehicles and people that are not military objectives and combatants.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
There was a tumultuous battle between the combatants but alas, the giant scorpion fatally bit Artemis’ boyfriend.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Of course, military operations often have to be kept under wraps to protect combatants and keep enemies off the scent.
—Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
As the name suggests, attack subs are designed to hunt and destroy other submarines, surface combatants (warships) and, if necessary, commercial vessels.
—James Dwyer, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
The administration has failed to provide any evidence that the people killed in the attacks were attempting to bring drugs into the country, and legal experts have taken umbrage at the assertion that drug traffickers can be considered armed combatants.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Warner Bros’ awards-season combatants Sinners and One Battle After Another and Netflix’s toon phenom KPop Demon Hunters took the top film prizes at 2026 annual ACE Eddie Awards, which were handed out Friday night at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatants
Noun
-
Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, supreme commander of the Luftwaffe, Hitler’s second in command, and the highest-ranking surviving Nazi leader, steps out of the car, stands at attention to announce his surrender, and orders the soldiers to carry his bags.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Ten Israeli soldiers have died there.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Two more passengers were taken to the hospital, one by helicopter and another by ambulance, troopers said.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The moniker references the 1965 event where Alabama state troopers brutally attacked more than 600 marchers, with Lewis among the leaders, mobilizing for civil rights.—
DeAsia Paige,
AJC.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In 1978, following a series of attacks organized by Palestinian fighters from Lebanese soil, Israel invaded Lebanon and occupied its south in what was known as Operation Litani.—
Mireille Rebeiz,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
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In 1969, Palestinian fighters used the area here — with Lebanon’s blessing — to wage attacks on Israel, prompting Israeli soldiers to dynamite 17 houses in Kfar Chouba.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The theology in such conflicts usually masks more primal power struggles and still tends to make the wars and warriors more fanatical and bloodthirsty.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
3 Apr. 2026
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The deliberate sparring during mealtime hides a palpable contempt the two warriors have for each other, further displayed as a seething hatred conveyed on Kirk's face as Chang departs back to Kronos One.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combatants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatants. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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