ARMED FORCES Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

armed forces

plural noun

Definition of armed forces

as in troops

the combined army, air force, and navy of a nation our nation's armed forces are stationed throughout the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 armed forces The Maryland National Guard has partnered with Bosnia and Herzegovina's armed forces for more than 20 years to share expertise and training ideas. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The assault targeted army positions in cities and towns including Anefis, Aguelhoc and Gao in northern Mali, Sevare in central Mali and Kenioroba in the south, the Malian armed forces said in a statement. — Reuters, NBC news, 4 July 2026 Since that time, Americans’ pride in the country’s armed forces dropped from 78% to 59%; in its history from 58% to 44%; in its democracy from 42% to 28%; and in its political influence around the world from 34% to 24%. — Connor Greene, Time, 2 July 2026 The Indonesian armed forces carried out a 10-person operation to recover Gosselin's body on Friday, July 3, according to CNN and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for armed forces

Browse Nearby Words

armed

armed forces

armhole

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Armed forces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/armed%20forces. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of armed forces

plural noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on armed forces

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes