national guard

noun

Definition of national guardnext
as in standing army

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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 national guard Staff have been directed to develop clear protocols for alerting the public of ICE activity or a national guard presence within city limits. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026 The conflict escalated further, resulting in 25 national guard members being killed in separate attacks following the cartel leader’s killing. — Jordan Parker aviation, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026 At least two military members also attend veteran funeral services, usually sent from either active duty, the national guard or the reserve, said Chadd Boland, a National Guard staff sergeant. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026 Advertisement The Army Secretary position is often seen as unglamorous, overseeing the budget and management of the over one million Armymen, national guard, and reserve soldiers. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for national guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for national guard
  1. standing army
  2. militia
  3. battalion
  4. army
Noun
  • Many Americans feared and distrusted the idea of a standing army into the first half of the nineteenth century.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 25 May 2026
  • Finland became a full member of NATO in April 2023, adding Finland’s standing army of nearly 280,000 (with a reserve of 900,000) to guard its 830-mile (1,340-km) border with Russia.
    — L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
Definition of standing army
Noun
  • William's sixth-great-grandfather was born in Coventry in 1740 and enlisted as a private in the Connecticut militia.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • Diarists and observers, including hymn writer John Newton and militia officers, often treated the event as an omen reflecting the gravity of the Revolution.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of militia
Noun
  • Across its 55,000-square-foot footprint, the $24 million building is composed of a learning center and classrooms, company orderly rooms, battalion planning space and secure equipment storage — and carries a plaque honoring the state’s 30th governor.
    — Kevin Fixler June 26, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2026
  • These religious sites and sacred areas throughout Ukraine have not been used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces or Ukrainian volunteer battalions as staging grounds to fight against Russian forces.
    — Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of battalion
Noun
  • The framework has provisions for a test run of sorts, with Israeli troops withdrawing from two pilot zones where the Lebanese army will gradually assume security responsibilities.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Earlier this month, the Nigerian army rescued more than 300 people abducted by Boko Haram from Ngoshe, a town about 114 kilometers (71 miles) from Lassa, where Monday’s abduction happened.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
Definition of army

Browse Nearby Words

national
national guard
national guards
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Cite this Entry

“National guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/national%20guard. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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