combatadjacent

Combat-adjacent, also written as combatadjacent, is an informal term used to describe content, activities, or practices that are closely linked to warfare and combat but do not involve direct hand-to-hand or ranged fighting. It emphasizes the ways warfare extends beyond immediate violence to include preparation, support, and consequences.

In media and criticism, combatadjacent work might focus on logistics, intelligence, medical care, or survival under conflict. In video games and simulations, it refers to design choices that foreground precombat planning, reconnaissance, base-building, resource management, or stealth over direct combat encounters. Real-world applications include military training modules that center on planning, leadership, or casualty evacuation rather than engaging the enemy on the battlefield.

The term is used to analyze how war is represented and experienced, revealing how audiences and practitioners engage with the broader systems of warfare, including supply chains, coalition dynamics, and civilian impact.

Critics warn that labeling something combatadjacent risks downplaying violence or normalizing conflict by focusing on ancillary aspects. Proponents argue the approach offers a more holistic view of warfare and can illuminate neglected dimensions such as logistics, morale, and humanitarian concerns.

Related topics include military history, warfare logistics, tactical games, and war journalism.