paramilitary 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of paramilitarynext
as in military
of or relating to a group that is not an official army but that operates and is organized like an army Government forces have been attacked by heavily armed paramilitary groups in several villages. a paramilitary police force

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Dissimilar Words

paramilitary

2 of 2

noun

as in guerrilla

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Dissimilar Words

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 paramilitary
Adjective
The three-year war between government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, with more than 14 million people driven from their homes. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 July 2026 In early 2025, fighting broke out between Congolese authorities and groups led by the rebel paramilitary group M23. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Noun
Golshan Fathi, a woman living in Tehran, said the Basij paramilitary, which played a key role in the bloody crushing of mass protests last month, was showing a heavy presence in the streets of the capital. — Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026 And on the ground in Iran, there isn’t a single group or person or movement to whom these IRGC or other police or paramilitary could surrender. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paramilitary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paramilitary
  1. military
  2. guerrilla
  3. naval
  4. soldier
  5. militant
  6. irregular
  7. warrior
  8. trooper
Adjective
  • Other military facilities were also hit, according to CENTCOM.
    — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • The defense plan calling for a 15 billion pound ($20 billion) spending boost is much smaller than military leaders had sought and has been criticized for not being fully funded under the current budget.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
Definition of military
Noun
  • From creator ecosystems and guerrilla marketing by non-sponsors to unexpected viral standouts, this year's tournament delivered a masterclass in what actually moves consumers.
    — Shelley E. Kohan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • President Gustavo Petro — Colombia’s first left-wing leader in recent memory — is a former M-19 guerrilla leader.
    — Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
Definition of guerrilla
Adjective
  • Four Kuwaiti service members were wounded by an Iranian attack on a Kuwaiti naval vessel, the country’s Defense Ministry said.
    — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • Rauscher finished his tour in Vietnam as a Petty Officer 3rd Class, but spent some remaining months of his naval service in Seattle.
    — Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of naval
Noun
  • Kelli stays strong as Shamea’s last standing soldier, accusing the other women of trusting a known liar.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • In his mind, the only honest version of himself is the soldier.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of soldier
Adjective
  • That militant arm of the Democratic Party kept Black voters from going to the polls, sometimes by violence, The Observer reported.
    — Chase Jordan July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • So far, the Houthis have been unable or unwilling to enforce the blockade that the militant group announced Tuesday.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of militant
Noun
  • Some galaxies, known as irregulars, don't fit neatly into either mold.
    — Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The existence of the irregulars raises an important question: How small can a galaxy get?
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 8 May 2025
Definition of irregular
Noun
  • Sinon also told Odysseus the fallen Ithacan soldiers were unable to rest because they weren’t honored with proper Greek warrior funeral rites.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • For years, they have been stuck at sea with their leader, the great warrior king Odysseus (Matt Damon), trying to find a route home to Ithaca; hunger and desperation have spurred his fiery second-in-command, Eurylochus (Himesh Patel), toward mutiny.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of warrior
Noun
  • The Alaska State Medical Examiner’s Office identified the remains as belonging to Patrick Orville Dearth, who was reported missing to the Fairbanks Police Department in November 1993, state troopers said.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
  • After the July 4 arrest, Cook County Judge Shauna Boliker ordered Milton not to go near the property or have any contact with the state trooper who reported him to authorities.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Definition of trooper

Browse Nearby Words

paramilitaries
paramilitary
paramount
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Cite this Entry

“Paramilitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paramilitary. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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