Synonyms of armed forces

armed forces

plural noun

as in troops

the combined army, air force, and navy of a nation

our nation's armed forces are stationed throughout the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

• troops
• soldiers
• military
• service
• colors
• rank and file
• force
• servicemen
• militia
• defense
• soldiery
• reserves
• armor
• servicewomen
• men-at-arms
• GIs
• gendarmerie

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• civilians
• noncombatants

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of armed forces

As well as instruction on weapons and battlefield tactics, the basic military training covers lessons on Russia’s national security doctrine and the structure of the armed forces. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

He was flown back home by the Norwegian armed forces and later fitted with a permanent device. — Terje Solsvik, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Polls in the tiny island nation — which does not have armed forces — are almost evenly split. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

The military used to understand that troops’ well-being was central to their ability to perform—and that improving the quality of life for those in the armed forces was not just a nicety, but a necessity. — Andrea N. Goldstein, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026