combatants

noun

plural of combatant
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of combatants But the combatants kept grasping and tugging each other off-balance. — Bob Brody, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026 They were controlled by two sets of levers, with plastic buttons that made the combatants throw left jabs and right uppercuts. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026 But combatants in the subcontinent were unaware of the initial truce that had been made in the West, and dozens more battles took place around the world. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026 The rules called for the combatants to square off with just eight paces between them — rather than the 20 or 30 paces typical of the time — and both men hit their targets. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026 The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. — Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026 Also known as a truce, such an agreement is commonly understood to be a period between war and peace, in which the combatants agree to pause fighting while negotiations take place. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 The combatants have now renewed their fragile truce, which has repeatedly threatened US-Iran negotiations. — Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 20 June 2026 Advertisement The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that over 1,700 Hezbollah combatants died during operations in Lebanon. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combatants
  1. soldiers
  2. troopers
  3. fighters
  4. warriors
Noun
  • The remains of two Army soldiers who went missing while off duty from military exercises in Morocco were recovered in May, according to the Army.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • The soldiers went missing on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area near the city of Tan Tan in southwestern Morocco, USA TODAY previously reported.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of soldiers
Noun
  • During the holiday weekend in 2025, troopers responded to 5,110 calls for service, 528 traffic services, 1,219 traffic stops, 29 DUIs and 330 motor vehicle crashes, 35 with injuries and three with fatal injuries in Southbury and Prospect.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 July 2026
  • When the vehicle sped away instead, the troopers pursued the Dodge.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of troopers
Noun
  • The other fighters and coaches celebrate his successes, said the gym owner, Roger Krahl.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Just like the innovative application of Ukrainian UAVs, the western fourth generation F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighters are a capability far exceeding traditional Soviet airborne artillery doctrine.
    — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of fighters
Noun
  • And perhaps the most famous statues in that distinctive style that Latchford stole from Koh Ker were nine stone warriors once arranged together in a battle scene.
    — Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • Uzbek fans have reveled in the chance to showcase their country and culture, staying behind long after the matches ended to pose for photos as steppe warriors, give away the country's ubiquitous embroidered duppy skullcaps, or just joyously dance to drums.
    — Charles Maynes, NPR, 27 June 2026
Definition of warriors

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Cite this Entry

“Combatants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combatants. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on combatants

Nglish: Translation of combatants for Spanish Speakers

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