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 ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures.
—
Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The ministry doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
When this month the remains of the 32 Cuban combatants killed in Venezuela were brought back to the island, the government pulled out all the stops to give them a hero’s welcome.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
But the country’s telecommunications infrastructure has eroded since the civil war started in April 2023, as combatants have continued to target this infrastructure.
—Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The film will also explore the founding of the unit and the struggles the young women combatants faced in order to prove themselves and be taken seriously amid skepticism and discrimination from male counterparts.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
The combatants rolled into the saloon with neither getting the upper hand until Fossett managed to pull his pistol and put four shots into the unarmed Carver.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
Those figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Colby stands next to Coach — the two combatants from a furious Day 1 challenge exactly 30 seasons ago.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The ministry doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
When this month the remains of the 32 Cuban combatants killed in Venezuela were brought back to the island, the government pulled out all the stops to give them a hero’s welcome.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
But the country’s telecommunications infrastructure has eroded since the civil war started in April 2023, as combatants have continued to target this infrastructure.
—Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The film will also explore the founding of the unit and the struggles the young women combatants faced in order to prove themselves and be taken seriously amid skepticism and discrimination from male counterparts.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
The combatants rolled into the saloon with neither getting the upper hand until Fossett managed to pull his pistol and put four shots into the unarmed Carver.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
Those figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Colby stands next to Coach — the two combatants from a furious Day 1 challenge exactly 30 seasons ago.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatants
Noun
-
In the song’s video, a now familiar montage of protests and lockdown notices is intercut with shots of Mount Rushmore and soldiers waving flags.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Credit still flows to soldiers and sailors.—
Carter Dougherty,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Two years ago, state troopers and Austin and university police arrested 136 University of Texas students at two pro-Palestinian protests.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Figueroa, who was identified as the driver of the Impala, could not be found when troopers arrived, the warrant affidavit said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Njoki claims African fighters were deliberately exposed in dangerous situations as bait for Ukrainian drones.—
Larry Madowo,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
More than 71,800 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Keyboard warriors sent a slew of vile and threatening messages directly to Vann or posted online.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Seconds later, there was our reserved little boy, jumping his heart out next to a group of six-foot-something Maasai warriors.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combatants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatants. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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