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
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
Some of those combatants say they were lured to Mexico under false pretenses and forced to fight.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 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
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
Some of those combatants say they were lured to Mexico under false pretenses and forced to fight.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 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
-
Afghanistan's Defense Ministry said Saturday on X that its defense forces along the border in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar captured a Pakistani post and killed 14 Pakistani soldiers.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
So standing idly by while Palestinians are being beaten up by settlers is actually soldiers following orders.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As troopers were en eroute to that crash, an eastbound 2006 Jeep Commander struck the disabled Toyota.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
State police said troopers who arrived at the scene established a perimeter.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Boko Haram has since become stronger, with thousands of fighters and different factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province, which is backed by the Islamic State group.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Svetlana Petriychuk wrote the play Finist, the Brave Falcon, based on real events, about Russian women deceived into marrying ISIS fighters and traveling to Syria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Indian chiefs were brave warriors who fought to protect their peoples.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
God bless you, to our incredible warriors, and God bless the United States of America.—
Jordan Freiman,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combatants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatants. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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