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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Recent Examples of militia
In the wake of a neo-Nazi rally, a group of armed citizens is now patrolling the Ohio community that endured it — and while some see the impromptu militia as heroes, others say the situation is putting them on edge, news outlets report.
—
Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2025
As the British withdrew from the depot, citizen militias repeatedly attacked.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
Al-Tamimi said the Iranian militias act with impunity and don’t respect the Iraqi constitution or Iraqis' rights as citizens.
—Chris Massaro, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2025
The Houthis, a Yemeni militia backed by Iran, have created their own fundamental challenge to freedom of navigation, using drones and missiles to attack shipping in the Red Sea.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for militia
Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2025
As the British withdrew from the depot, citizen militias repeatedly attacked.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
Al-Tamimi said the Iranian militias act with impunity and don’t respect the Iraqi constitution or Iraqis' rights as citizens.
—Chris Massaro, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2025
The Houthis, a Yemeni militia backed by Iran, have created their own fundamental challenge to freedom of navigation, using drones and missiles to attack shipping in the Red Sea.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for militia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militia
Noun
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Last weekend, Hegseth approved orders to send a large portion of an Army Stryker brigade and a general support aviation battalion to the border.—
Will Weissert and Valerie Gonzalez,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
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The film centers an all-Black and all women battalion in World War II.—
Carrie Wittmer,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Despite suffering heavy battlefield losses, his armies continue to advance slowly but steadily in Ukraine.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2025
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The American military help is vital for Ukraine’s shorthanded and weary army, which is having a tough time keeping Russia’s bigger military force at bay.—
Samya Kullab and Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
On May 22, three soldiers who witnessed the Mount Suribachi flag-raising on the island of Iwo Jima were greeted by 1,000 schoolchildren.—
Patrick Sauer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Dec. 2024
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The goal is to slow Russia's advance and weaken their fighting power while sacrificing as few Ukrainian soldiers as possible.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
24 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Militia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militia. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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