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 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
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
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
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
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
-
Mortal Kombat 2 will focus on the Mortal Kombat tournament, the big battle in which warriors from different realms face off against one another in a fight to the bloody finish.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Combatants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatants. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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