missing in action
adjective
: missing and unable to be confirmed as captured or killed following military action
a soldier who was declared missing in action
The 1st Cavalry Division casualties in Operation PERSHING totalled 852 troopers killed in action, 22 missing in action, 286 killed in noncombat circumstances …—
Shelby L. Stanton
—often used figuratively for someone or something notably or unexpectedly missing, absent, or inactiveShelby L. StantonMost readers expect an encyclopedia to give the judgment of scholars—a group largely missing in action here.—Julia Vitullo-Martin
Julia Vitullo-MartinThe movie itself has just resurfaced after having been missing in action for some time.—Video Review
Video ReviewBut lots of hair had turned gray (my own included); lots more was missing in action.—Joseph Epstein
Joseph EpsteinExamples of missing in action in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Iga Swiatek missed the Asian swing, split from her coach, and has been missing in action since she was beaten by Jessica Pegula at Flushing Meadows.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
So don’t be surprised if the Xiaomi 15 Pro is missing in action in February 2025.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
On the other hand, the Trump campaign messages on healthcare have been more ambiguous or completely missing in action.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Since World War II and all the conflicts that have followed, more than 81,000 American service members remain missing in action.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for missing in action 
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.
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
So don’t be surprised if the Xiaomi 15 Pro is missing in action in February 2025.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
On the other hand, the Trump campaign messages on healthcare have been more ambiguous or completely missing in action.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Since World War II and all the conflicts that have followed, more than 81,000 American service members remain missing in action.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for missing in action
Dictionary Entries Near missing in action
Cite this Entry
“Missing in action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missing%20in%20action. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share