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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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
  • This weekend’s apparent pause in military action against Iran may hint at US moves to ease tensions in the Middle East, a former US national security adviser told CNN.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
  • Ukrainian officials say the addition of more defenses will remain a priority well into the future because Belarus is Russia's closest military ally.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Definition of military
Noun
  • These revelations have been met by a growing guerilla mindset among average citizens.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • In the 1960s, the architect Cedric Price, prompted by the guerrilla director Joan Littlewood, came up with — but never built — Fun Palace, a scaffolding that could be infinitely rejiggered to meet its users’ needs for leisure, play, and performance.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
Definition of guerrilla
Adjective
  • The Houthis have declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia over the past week, and Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said all Saudi oil ​facilities could be targets.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 26 July 2026
  • The United States earlier this month resumed a naval blockade of Iranian ports, eliminating another one of the components agreed to in preliminary peace plan reached in June.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 July 2026
Definition of naval
Noun
  • Plus, the constant convoys of soldiers driving in and out of the base just down the street gave them a sense of security and pride.
    — Austin Fast, USA Today, 26 July 2026
  • Hundreds of army troops, special forces soldiers and police officers were dispatched across the state after the slayings.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of soldier
Adjective
  • The militant group Hamas has reached an agreement with the Board of Peace – tasked with implementing a long term ceasefire plan in Gaza – to relinquish its weapons, a senior official told CNN on Friday.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Some Israeli strikes and militant attacks have continued since then.
    — Emma Nicholson, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of militant
Noun
  • Setting off in pursuit was José María Zuloaga, a taciturn lieutenant colonel in the Mexican army supported by a band of irregulars.
    — Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Some galaxies, known as irregulars, don't fit neatly into either mold.
    — Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Definition of irregular
Noun
  • During a Friday panel at Comic-Con, Prime Video debuted a new trailer that highlighted the encroaching doom the heroes and warriors of Middle-earth are to face.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 24 July 2026
  • Adeline Rudolph also plays an integral role as warrior princess Kitana in the flick full of crazy moves and extremely gory finishes.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Definition of warrior
Noun
  • Two troopers a day are assigned to patrol CTfastrak, but Higgins announced that they’ll now be supplemented by high-visibility patrols from the Hartford Troop H barracks.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
  • The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency had no further information to add as troopers continue to investigate the fatal crash.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 23 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of paramilitary for Spanish Speakers

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