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 As Olof Schultz and Joe Biden talked to the media in February 2022, Russia’s armed forces were gathering along the borders of Ukraine. — Sverre Alvik, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Ukraine's Zelenskyy also said the country's armed forces had responded to Russian attacks on ships in the Black Sea by striking two military patrol boats and shadow fleet vessels. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 Unión de Industria Militar, a military holding company responsible for producing and repairing weapons for the armed forces, which the State Department says has worked with Russian defense entities to modernize Russian-origin weapons systems. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 In a statement carried by state media KCNA, Kim accused Japan of moving beyond a defensive posture and turning its armed forces into a force capable of pre-emptive attacks and overseas military operations. — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Aug. 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 16 Aug. 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

zeugma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes