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
as in guerrilla
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paramilitary
Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
The United Arab Emirates trained Colombian mercenaries before sending them to fight alongside a notorious paramilitary group in Sudan’s devastating war, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.
—ABC News, 25 May 2026
Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for paramilitary
Adjective
An American air strike on a PMF command headquarters in al-Anbar province killed 15 fighters; and another strike on an adjacent military base in al-Habbaniyah, which also houses a paramilitary camp, killed seven soldiers and wounded 13.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
The United Arab Emirates trained Colombian mercenaries before sending them to fight alongside a notorious paramilitary group in Sudan’s devastating war, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.
—ABC News, 25 May 2026
Noun
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
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
See All Example Sentences for paramilitary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paramilitary
Adjective
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The backstory Park Hyatt Saigon stands on the former site of the Brinks Hotel Officers' Quarters, where US military officials lived during the Vietnam War.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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One is a military veteran who pitches himself as a lifelong civic servant and recently tossed his name in the hat.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Although the country saw a break in violence between rebel groups and the government in the 10 years since the historic agreement between guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) and the government, criminal gang activity is rising.—
Sebastian Jimenez,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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The vote, seen as a referendum on outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s policies, comes 10 years after Colombia signed an historic peace pact with guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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Despite reports of new naval escorts in recent days, a spokesperson for US Central Command said that had not happened.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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The Philippines is getting six used Japanese escort destroyers armed with anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and naval guns.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Last month, senior Moscow officials attended the inauguration of a war memorial complex in Pyongyang, where soldiers fighting for Russia were honored and a message from Putin was read aloud.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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Four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Attacks in the region by the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group allied with the militant organization Islamic State, and a coalition of ethnic militias have also hindered the response.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has also touted the militant group’s drone capabilities, calling them an effective weapon against Israeli forces operating near and inside southern Lebanon.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Some galaxies, known as irregulars, don't fit neatly into either mold.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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The existence of the irregulars raises an important question: How small can a galaxy get?—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
8 May 2025
Noun
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But, just as the film balances a wild blend of sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, action, and 80's nostalgia, Teela balances her role as a serious warrior and leader with some seriously relatable emotional ties.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
30 May 2026
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The nurturing Moon in your sign opposes warrior Mars in your 7th House of Partnership, so your needs and someone else’s agenda pull in different directions.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The decision to send in state troopers – some on horseback – infuriated many protesters while drawing praise from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.—
Leigh Waldman,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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See detailed results Democratic Primary Julian Beaudion, a former South Dakota state trooper and a community organizer, is unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Senate.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paramilitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paramilitary. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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