Crossword Dictionary
COMBATANT
combatant - a
engaging in or ready for combat
Synonyms
adversary, antagonist, assailant, attacker, enemy, serviceman, soldier, battler, belligerent, contender, foe, warrior
Examples
Treating them as criminals and not as war combatants is equally foolish.
Britain supported plans for an organisation to help former combatants to return home, he said.
The MI5 advert does not mention these skills, perhaps for fear of alerting enemy combatants to the full capabilities of its new cadre of recruits.
Etymology
mid-15c. (adj.) "contending, disposed to combat;" late 15c. (n.) "one who engages in battle;" from Old French combatant (Modern French combattant) "skilled at fighting, warlike" (also used as a noun in Old French), present-participle adjective of combattre (see combat (v.)).