missing in action
Americanadjective
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missing during military operations and not confirmed to have been killed. Abbreviation: MIA.
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(figuratively) missing or absent in a way that is noteworthy or surprising.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The fresh fighting came after a weekend in which the US announced three new US military fatalities and one service member missing in action.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
The striking absence of Erika Kirk, who spoke at the kick-off event in Los Angeles but has otherwise been missing in action.
From Salon ● May 17, 2026
In January last year, Mbarga was reported missing in action and is presumed dead.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026
Even having made two single-season streaming series in the interim, he has seemingly been missing in action, the absence of his visual flair, bent humor and taste for provocation leaving an empty space in theaters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 1, 2026
Frank, Hazel, and Leo were missing in action.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
