Synonyms of military

military 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē 

1

as in martial

of or relating to the armed services

the colonel testified that revealing any more information at the public hearing would have required giving away military secrets

Synonyms & Similar Words

• martial
• naval
• service
• paramilitary
• mercenary
• militant
• militaristic
• warlike
• soldierly
• militarist
• enlisted
• regular
• gladiatorial
• GI

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• civilian
• civil
• nonmilitary

2

as in soldierly

of, relating to, or suitable for war or a warrior

after returning from the war, the college president very unsuccessfully tried to impose military discipline on the students

Synonyms & Similar Words

• martial
• soldierly
• guerrilla
• warlike
• militaristic
• aggressive
• militant
• militarist
• combative
• bellicose
• belligerent
• warring
• mercenary
• pugnacious
• antagonistic
• contentious
• quarrelsome
• scrappy
• gladiatorial
• truculent
• argumentative
• fierce
• hot-tempered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• civilian
• civil
• nonmilitary
• nonviolent
• unsoldierly
• peaceful
• pacific
• peaceable
• conciliatory
• benevolent
• friendly
• amiable
• cordial
• gracious
• genial
• amicable
• easygoing
• good-natured
• affable
• complaisant
• ingratiating
• obliging

military

2 of 2

noun

as in troops

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

some would insist that the military's budget is still inadequate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• civilians
• noncombatants

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of military

Adjective

The architects have publicly identified it as the head of Skanderbeg, a 15th century military hero. — Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026

The death toll from Monday’s strike on Komyshuvakha has risen to 37, said the acting head of the regional military administration, Mykhailo Semikin. — ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

Noun

The Saudi military has struggled to defend against Houthi missiles, hampered by the sheer size of the country — Saudi Arabia’s territory is more than five times the size of California — and a fast-depleting supply of interceptors. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Almost 700 Burundians have reportedly signed contracts with the Russian military, along with 530 Zimbabweans. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026