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combatant

combatant

6.5
Taking part in a fight or ready to fight
  • adjective
  • /ˈkɒmbətənt/
translation icon : combatiente
  • He served as a combatant, displaying great courage during the battle.

They had missed all the other rotations because the the combatant commander hadn't released them to go into non theater conflict.

Examples

  • As a combatant in the ongoing war, she faced numerous challenges on the front lines.

  • Since it is regarding the CSRTs (Combatant Status Review Tribunals), I would hazard a guess that the case is ACLU v. Department of Defense.

    Blog text (28)
  • The soldiers were well-trained combatant troops ready for any conflict.

Synonyms

militant
vscombatant
58 6.7

Actively taking part in armed fighting or war

can also mean being prepared or merely ready rather than actively involved
combative
vscombatant
31 6.1

Being ready to argue or fight

focuses on military readiness or active involvement in armed situations
combat-ready
vscombatant
  • Specialized
4 5.3

Fully prepared for immediate fighting, for example troops or equipment

often covers both readiness and actual involvement in battle situations
fighting
vscombatant
3.0

Troops that are active in battle

is about being actively involved or ready for armed action in conflicts
engaged
vscombatant
7.9

Taking part in fighting during a battle

is broader and also means being prepared rather than only taking part
battleful
vscombatant
  • UK
9.9

Ready to fight or argue

is about immediate readiness to act in conflict rather than a trait

Antonyms

1 7.3

Not taking part in fighting, especially for civilians during war

How Involved

combatant
6.5
noncombatant
5 6.8

Surface Forms

combatant positive

Morphology

combatant = combat (transparent) = combat + ant

The adjective is directly formed by adding the productive adjectival suffix '-ant' to 'combat', giving the clear meaning 'engaged in fighting'.

Etymology

The word combatant comes from com- 'with' and battere 'to beat', the same root as battle. So combatant (as an adjective) describes someone or something 'taking part in fighting' or ready to fight.