as in pilots
one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
her father was an airman who was shot down in Vietnam
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Recent Examples of airmen
Hegseth complained that the media hadn’t focused on such aspects of the war as the rescue missions to save two airmen whose plane was shot down in Iran, even though that story was covered extensively.
—
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
The Air Force set a goal of 32,750 active duty airmen this year, while the Space Force aimed to bring in 730 guardians.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Idaho airmen are being sent to the Middle East to support military activity in Iran.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
New details are emerging from the dramatic rescue of two American airmen in a remote corner of Southwest Iran after their F-15 fighter jet was shot down Friday.
—Max Burman, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
The two airmen ejected over southwestern Iran; the weapons officer was injured during the ejection, but was still able to walk and was the last to be rescued, the New York Post reported, quoting Axios.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of more than 900 African-American military pilots and airmen who flew combat aircraft in World War II.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
It’s designed to train airmen and -women to survive and return from behind enemy lines.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
The airmen who died on March 12 include Air Force Maj.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
The Air Force set a goal of 32,750 active duty airmen this year, while the Space Force aimed to bring in 730 guardians.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Idaho airmen are being sent to the Middle East to support military activity in Iran.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
New details are emerging from the dramatic rescue of two American airmen in a remote corner of Southwest Iran after their F-15 fighter jet was shot down Friday.
—Max Burman, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
The two airmen ejected over southwestern Iran; the weapons officer was injured during the ejection, but was still able to walk and was the last to be rescued, the New York Post reported, quoting Axios.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of more than 900 African-American military pilots and airmen who flew combat aircraft in World War II.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
It’s designed to train airmen and -women to survive and return from behind enemy lines.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
The airmen who died on March 12 include Air Force Maj.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airmen
Noun
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Something awarded only to licensed pilots with a perfect safety record of 50 years, and less than one percent of airline pilots -- only a handful of women -- have received it.—
Rina Nakano,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Given that the cutoff age in America for commercial airline pilots is 65, eyebrows might be raised by making 82-year-old Ben Kingsley the captain on a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Previously, aviators could use the $165-per-month Starlink Roam plan on their aircraft, but as its name suggests, Aviation 300MPH capped the in-motion internet access at 300mph, so Roam was no longer an option on planes.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
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The museum has a collection of artifacts and aircrafts such as the Apollo 9 Command Module, a mock-up of the Lockheed Vega 5B, flown by Amelia Earhart, B-58 Hustler flight plans and various pictures of famous aviators and airplanes.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Airmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airmen. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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