militia

noun

Definition of militianext
as in battalion
a group of people who are not part of the armed forces of a country but are trained like soldiers Local militia were an important part of American forces during the Revolutionary War.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of militia The militias said at least 20 fighters were killed in the attacks. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 July 2026 The unclaimed attack comes as Iran, its Houthi allies in Yemen and Iraqi militias have widened strikes on energy infrastructure across the region. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 30 July 2026 Missile salvos and militia attacks have choked key shipping lanes, damaged Saudi oil facilities and driven up global prices even as fragile diplomacy struggles to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and avert escalation. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 The drones fired by Iraqi militia at Saudi oil facilities this week are a reminder of times when the Gulf states’ northern neighbor presented an even greater threat. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for militia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militia
  1. battalion
  2. army
  3. soldiers
  4. troops
Noun
  • Kelsey Whetro is a battalion chief for the KCFD, and one of the four coordinators in charge of Camp Fury.
    — Julianna Mejia July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • Justin Sylvia said the department has a battalion chief working with a group that includes Waymo as the city prepares for the rollout.
    — Steve Large, CBS News, 29 July 2026
Definition of battalion
Noun
  • Many were wrapped in towels to shield from the wind, while army and police vehicles patrolled the road behind them.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The boy, now 17, told the Associated Press that those who ordered him strapped to the gun were Colombian mercenaries providing military aid to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces against the army in the war, now in its fourth year.
    — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of army
Noun
  • Recent Ukrainian drone strikes have been targeting the nationwide storage and transport network of Wildberries, which Kyiv says facilitates the sale of military equipment -- including drones -- to Russian soldiers.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • American soldiers fighting in the Mediterranean theater were sent there on leave during WWII.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of soldiers
Noun
  • Images from China over the years have shown a mockup of the presidential office, other government agencies and street layouts in Taipei built in the Chinese desert and troops attacking it in exercises.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Neither provision would create a joint military command, transfer control of troops, or independently authorize military aid.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of troops

Browse Nearby Words

military
militia
militiaman
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Cite this Entry

“Militia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militia. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on militia

Nglish: Translation of militia for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about militia

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