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 inactive
Most readers expect an encyclopedia to give the judgment of scholars—a group largely missing in action here.Julia Vitullo-Martin
The movie itself has just resurfaced after having been missing in action for some time.Video Review
But lots of hair had turned gray (my own included); lots more was missing in action.Joseph Epstein

Examples of missing in action in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 

Word History

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of missing in action was in 1808

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.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!