noncombatant

noun

Definition of noncombatantnext
as in civilian

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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 noncombatant The charges follow a military report released in 2020 that found evidence that elite Australian SAS and commando regiment troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and other noncombatants. — ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026 When Machines Misfire While civilians have died on both sides of the conflict, Russia has shown a greater willingness to kill noncombatants. — Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2026 After an operation, reports of harm to noncombatants would prompt an assessment or investigation to figure out what went wrong and then incorporate those lessons into training. — Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Mar. 2026 If a humanoid robot malfunctions and commits a war crime or kills a noncombatant, is the software programmer or commanding officer held responsible? — Charlie Campbell, Time, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for noncombatant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noncombatant
civilian
Noun
  • Spirk spent eight years in the Marine Corps and close to 20 more as a government civilian in the intelligence community and special operations.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Hasan, a former Army major and psychiatrist, shot and killed twelve fellow-soldiers (one of whom was pregnant) and a civilian at Fort Hood, in 2009, ahead of a deployment to Afghanistan.
    — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of civilian

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noncollegiate
noncombatant
noncombatants
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Cite this Entry

“Noncombatant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noncombatant. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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