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

During Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in 2022, Chinese firms provided satellite imagery of the battlefield that helped Russian forces conduct military operations. — Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026

In September, Amnesty International reported that military courts in eastern Libya had convicted hundreds of civilians between 2018 and 2021 in secret trials targeting people accused of criticizing the LNA. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Noun

But after the first ceasefire collapsed in December 2023, the Israeli military launched a major ground offensive in Khan Younis, and the military soon lost track of the hostages. — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Ukraine's military did not provide details about the strike but said the refinery was supplying fuel to Russia's forces. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026