militia
noun
mi·li·tia
mə-ˈli-shə 
plural militias
1
a
: a part of the organized armed forces of a country liable to call only in emergency
The militia was called to quell the riot.
b
: a body of citizens organized for military service
2
: the whole body of able-bodied male citizens declared by law as being subject to call to military service
3
: a private group of armed individuals that operates as a paramilitary force and is typically motivated by a political or religious ideology
specifically
: such a group that aims to defend individual rights against government authority that is perceived as oppressive
Examples of militia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Once the war breaks out between the two ruling militias, escape becomes the only safe way out for the filmmakers and their protagonists.
—
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
One militia group which was present at the riots, the Three Percenters, has seen a rise in recruitment following January 6, per ProPublica.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Rwanda does not deny the allegations but has criticized DR Congo for collaborating with a Hutu militia group against a mainly Tutsi rebel group, the CNDP, which M23 grew out of.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
Creating an outside militia that can interfere with law enforcement, seeking mass deportations, allowing assaults on police, letting crimes go unpunished and seeking retribution against your opponents.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for militia 
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Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
One militia group which was present at the riots, the Three Percenters, has seen a rise in recruitment following January 6, per ProPublica.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Rwanda does not deny the allegations but has criticized DR Congo for collaborating with a Hutu militia group against a mainly Tutsi rebel group, the CNDP, which M23 grew out of.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
Creating an outside militia that can interfere with law enforcement, seeking mass deportations, allowing assaults on police, letting crimes go unpunished and seeking retribution against your opponents.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for militia
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Dictionary Entries Near militia
Cite this Entry
“Militia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militia. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
militia
noun
mi·li·tia
mə-ˈlish-ə
: a body of citizens with some military training who are called to active duty only in an emergency
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