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
Though active hostilities have paused for the moment, the conflict has already exacted a tragic toll on combatants and civilians alike, threatened global stability and underscored in stark relief the grim reality of war.
—
William E. Lori, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
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
William E. Lori, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatants
Noun
-
Nataliia had gone to the bus station, where soldiers were spraying foam to contain the nuclear fallout, and to the hospital, where men in white coats were unloading victims on stretchers from the backs of ambulances.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Kozak said workers slept on floors and desks, with Russian soldiers occupying key areas.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
According to the Massachusetts State Police, the passenger was restrained on the flight, but was cooperative by the time troopers boarded the plane.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The collision forced troopers to close 187th Street for a while, but the crossing reopened after the train was moved away from the crossing.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What about those fighters grants them the respect of a great like you?—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Ukrainian estimates cited in the report say at least 3,388 foreign fighters have been killed, with some estimates suggesting one in five recruits may not survive deployment.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
29 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
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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 2 May. 2026.
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