armed

1 of 2

adjective (1)

Synonyms of armednext
1
a
: furnished with weapons
an armed guard
also : using or involving a weapon
b
: furnished with something that provides security, strength, or efficacy
armed with knowledge
2
: marked by the maintenance of armed forces in readiness

armed

2 of 2

adjective (2)

: having an arm or arms especially of a specified kind or number
usually used in combination
long-armed
two-armed

Examples of armed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Masked, heavily armed agents traveling in convoys of unmarked SUVs became commonplace in some neighborhoods. Tim Sullivan, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026 Our city streets occupied by armed agents of the state again, kitted out in combat gear; those agents are harming us again. Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026 The small plane was carrying two crew members and 13 passengers, including lawmaker Diógenes Quintero, who represents the victims of the internal armed conflict in his region, the airline said. CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026 Presidential downfall Legislators swiftly overturned the president’s martial law decree after fighting their way past armed soldiers into parliament. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for armed

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English, from past participle of armen "to arm entry 2"

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective (2)

1500, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of armed was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Armed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

armed

adjective
1
: furnished with weapons
an armed guard
2
: furnished with something that provides security or strength
armed with knowledge

Medical Definition

armed

adjective
1
: having an arm or arms especially of a specified kind or number
usually used in combination
long-armed
two-armed
2
: having a spiny rostellum
a tapeworm armed with numerous hammer-shaped hooks

Legal Definition

armed

adjective
1
: having a weapon
an armed assailant
2
: involving the use of a weapon
an armed attack

More from Merriam-Webster on armed

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