paramilitary
adjective
Did you know?
This term paramilitary can take in a wide range of organizations, but is usually applied to forces formed by a government. Groups opposing a government, even when organized along military lines, are more often referred to as guerrillas or insurgents. In countries with weak central governments (such as, in recent times, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, or Congo), warlords may form their own paramilitary forces and take over all local police and military functions. Paramilitary often has a sinister sound today, since it's also applied to groups of off-duty military or police personnel who carry out illegal violence, often at night, with the quiet support of a government.
Examples of paramilitary in a Sentence
Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025
But the recent victories by the military do not spell the end of its adversary, a rebel paramilitary group that still holds large areas in Sudan.
—Christopher Tounsel, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
However, in this case, the commander in chief, President Trump, is taking decisive action to rid our communities of these gangs that are operating in a paramilitary fashion.
—CBS News, 23 Mar. 2025
Soldiers posted triumphant selfie videos at the entrance of the devastated palace, which overlooks the Nile River, after days of heavy fighting with the Rapid Support Forces, the powerful paramilitary group that the army is battling for control of Sudan.
—arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paramilitary
Cite this Entry
“Paramilitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paramilitary. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy Citation
Share