paramilitary force
Armed civilian group
A paramilitary force is an armed group organized along military lines but not part of a country's official armed forces.
Such groups may operate alongside or against governments—from militia units and guerrilla fighters to private security contractors: The regime relied on paramilitary forces to suppress dissent.
The term often carries implications of irregular or extralegal violence.
- private armyArmed force serving one master
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
- insurgentOne who revolts
- rebelAuthority defier
- death squadParamilitary killers targeting dissidents
mercenary · vigilante · armed · combat · uniform · boots · rifle · checkpoint · convoy · patrol · boots on the ground · chain of command · camo · fatigues · squadron · brigade · warlord · compound
paramilitary forceregular army
Nation's permanent military force
standing army · armed forces · defense forces · professional army · national guard
paramilitary forcepeacekeeping force
Troops maintaining ceasefire compliance
diplomatic corps · peace movement · nonviolent resistance · civilian population · civil rights movement
military, force, paramilitary, militarily, militia, militant, militancy, militarism, militarist