paramilitary

adjective

para·mil·i·tary ˌper-ə-ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē

ˌpa-rə-

: of, relating to, being, or characteristic of a force formed on a military pattern especially as a potential auxiliary military force

a paramilitary border patrol

paramilitary training

paramilitary noun

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This term paramilitary can take in a wide range of organizations, but is usually applied to forces formed by a government. Groups opposing a government, even when organized along military lines, are more often referred to as guerrillas or insurgents. In countries with weak central governments (such as, in recent times, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, or Congo), warlords may form their own paramilitary forces and take over all local police and military functions. Paramilitary often has a sinister sound today, since it's also applied to groups of off-duty military or police personnel who carry out illegal violence, often at night, with the quiet support of a government.

Examples of paramilitary in a Sentence

Government forces have been attacked by heavily armed paramilitary groups in several villages.

Recent Examples on the Web Related article Nearly 2 million people stranded as second wave of devastating floods hits Bangladesh in less than a month The Border Guard Bangladesh paramilitary force was deployed across the country to tighten security as clashes continued in several places, the force said. —

Reuters, CNN, 16 July 2024 Advertisement Coming amid escalating tensions between the paramilitary group and Israel, the report set off a frenzy of denials from Lebanese officials and raised fears it would be used by Israel to justify a strike on the airport. —

Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024 Now it was controlled by fighters from the Rapid Support Forces, the paramilitary force battling Sudan’s national army for control of the city, and the country. —

Declan Walsh, New York Times, 14 June 2024 Hezbollah is one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East, boasting of tens of thousands of fighters and a vast missile arsenal. —

Sophie Tanno, CNN, 4 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for paramilitary

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paramilitary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.