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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in guerilla
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paramilitary
Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2025
The state also encourages young people to enroll in its secondary vocational education system, which provides training for specialties that are in demand in the paramilitary economy.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 23 Jan. 2025
Starting in late 1948, government and right-wing paramilitary forces violently suppressed a left-wing insurgency on Jeju Island.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
The multinational banana producer Chiquita Brands was found liable in 2024 for killings by a Colombian right-wing paramilitary group that was designated as a terrorist organization.
—Maria Abi-Habib, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for paramilitary 
Adjective
The group quickly gains a following — but also invites scrutiny from local paramilitary groups and law enforcement.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2025
The state also encourages young people to enroll in its secondary vocational education system, which provides training for specialties that are in demand in the paramilitary economy.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 23 Jan. 2025
Starting in late 1948, government and right-wing paramilitary forces violently suppressed a left-wing insurgency on Jeju Island.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
The multinational banana producer Chiquita Brands was found liable in 2024 for killings by a Colombian right-wing paramilitary group that was designated as a terrorist organization.
—Maria Abi-Habib, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for paramilitary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paramilitary
Adjective
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On Tuesday, the Gaza health ministry said that 92 people in the enclave had been killed in Israeli military operations since the ceasefire came into effect.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
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The 2022 Naming Commission Final Report recommended new names for nine military bases, one of which was Fort Bragg.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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What To Know In a press release on Sunday, the Netherlands' defense ministry announced that its Royal Navy had escorted a fleet of six Russian ships—comprising three naval vessels and three civilian ships—navigating through the Mediterranean Sea en route to a Russian port.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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The carrier had arrived at a naval base in Crete earlier in the week, a rare break for the strike group that has been in constant operations, though the pace had ebbed as Israel's ceasefire with Hamas took effect in mid-January.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Horrified by this new reality, a man escapes one of the residences and joins a guerrilla cell led by fellow dissidents over 75.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2025
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During the conflict, fewer than 3,000 Native Americans successfully fought more than 30,000 U.S. troops using guerrilla warfare tactics.—
Patrick Connolly,
Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The militant group also accused Israel of delaying the entry of essential medicines and hospital supplies, as well as not allowing tents, prefabricated houses, fuel, or rubble-removing machines into Gaza.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
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The militant group accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement by targeting refugees with airstrikes, delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, and restricting humanitarian aid.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Army identified the soldiers killed in the crash as Staff Sgt.—
Katie Smith,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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The camera keeps tight on Dragan as the heavily armed soldiers approach the compartment containing him, the Muslim man and several other passengers.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In a word, even before yesterday, Donbas was well on its way to becoming Ukraine’s Bosnia -- with Putin playing the part of Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, Russia playing the part of Serbia, and Putin’s Donbas supporters playing the part of Bosnian Serb irregulars.—
Alexander J. Motyl,
Foreign Affairs,
17 July 2014
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But when strong-arm tactics by security irregulars failed to suppress the massive demonstrations in Tahrir Square, the senior officer corps, who regarded themselves foremost as guardians of the first Egyptian revolution, sent Mubarak into retirement.—
Robert H. Pelletreau,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Feb. 2011
Noun
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The budding culture warrior majored in politics and, after graduating in 2003, headed off to his first job as an equity capital market analyst on Wall Street.—
Kyle Khan-Mullins,
Forbes,
7 Feb. 2025
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While keyboard warriors were quick to question Markle's motives, experts told Fox News Digital that the delay may prove to help improve Markle's public reputation.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
Fox News,
28 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near paramilitary
Cite this Entry
“Paramilitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paramilitary. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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