noncombatant

/ˌnän-kəm-ˈba-tᵊnt also ˌnän-ˈkäm-bə-tənt/ (ame, mw)

noncombatant — noun

1. a person in a war or violent conflict who is not taking part as a fighter

1.名詞C1
釋義

a person in a war or violent conflict who is not taking part as a fighter

例句

Aid trucks marked their drivers as noncombatants at the checkpoint.

mark someone as a noncombatant

The treaty ordered both armies to protect noncombatants in border villages.

protect noncombatants in war

同義詞
  • nonfighter

    close in meaning, but plainer and less formal

  • civilian

    narrower because it usually excludes military support staff

  • bystander

    broader and not mainly used for war or military settings

反義詞
  • combatant

    someone who is fighting in the conflict

  • fighter

    less formal and more general

文法句型

be a noncombatant

treat someone as a noncombatant

protect noncombatants

用法筆記

Often used in war reporting, military rules, and legal writing as a broad label. It can include civilians and also people near the conflict who are present but not acting as fighters.

常見錯誤

❌The photographer was a peaceful person.
✅The photographer was a noncombatant.
💡Peaceful describes personality, while noncombatant describes a role in the conflict.

2. an ordinary person rather than a soldier, especially when war or armed attacks a

2.名詞C1
釋義

an ordinary person rather than a soldier, especially when war or armed attacks are being discussed

例句

Thousands of noncombatants fled the city after the bridge collapsed.

noncombatants flee danger

The mayor opened the sports hall to noncombatants overnight.

同義詞
  • civilian

    the closest everyday word, especially outside legal writing

  • resident

    focuses on living in a place, not on protected wartime status

  • local

    less precise because it does not itself contrast with soldiers

反義詞
  • soldier

    a member of the armed forces

  • combatant

    broader and includes any person who is actively fighting

文法句型

noncombatants flee

shelter noncombatants

evacuate noncombatants

用法筆記

This sense focuses on people outside the military. It is common in news reports about evacuation, casualties, and protection during war. Distinguish from noun/3, which is about service members with non-fighting duties.

常見錯誤

❌All the villagers were soldiers.
✅All the villagers were noncombatants.
💡In war reporting, noncombatants are ordinary people who are not serving as fighters.

3. a member of the armed forces whose job is to give medical, religious, or other s

3.名詞C1
釋義

a member of the armed forces whose job is to give medical, religious, or other support instead of direct fighting

例句

The field doctor was a noncombatant under army rules.

be a noncombatant under rules

Chaplains and surgeons serve as noncombatants near the front line.

serve as noncombatants

同義詞
反義詞
  • combat soldier

    someone whose military duty includes fighting

  • combatant

    broader formal opposite for a fighting participant

文法句型

serve as a noncombatant

noncombatant doctor

noncombatant chaplain

用法筆記

Used for someone who belongs to the armed forces but fills a care, religious, or other support role. Distinguish from noun/2, which is about civilians outside the military.

常見錯誤

❌The army doctor was a civilian soldier.
✅The army doctor was a noncombatant.
💡A person can belong to the military and still have a non-fighting role.