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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combatants
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatants
Noun
-
Prisoners exchanged Russia's Defense Ministry said that a prisoner swap Saturday brought home 175 of its soldiers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Another work from this era, Veterans Day (2016), features a flow of musical notes that surround a framed newspaper article about the conviction of Muhammad Ali for refusing to fight in the American war in Vietnam and an old photograph of soldiers raising their fists.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Then immigration officers, who are often following the state troopers or riding with them, interrogate the driver and passengers, according to Vecindarios 901, an immigration rapid-response organization that has witnessed dozens of stops.—
Wendi C. Thomas,
ProPublica,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The state has also demanded that highway troopers, fish and wildlife officers, and university police work with ICE.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On the eve of Leo’s arrival, separatist fighters announced a three-day pause in fighting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The bipartisan bill would also require military aircraft to install collision-prevention technologies by 2031, with exceptions for fighters, bombers, drones and other special mission aircraft.—
Olivia Rinaldi,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
But the Ballances were more than gallant warriors – in fact, a life-size oil painting of Marti’s great-grandfather Charles Ballance’s wife and children – including her grandfather Willis as a 3-year-old – hangs in a place of honor at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combatants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatants. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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