standing army

noun

Definition of standing armynext
as in national guard

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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 standing army How a country founded in fear of a standing army came to think of its military as a bulwark of American democracy is the subject of my work. — Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026 There was no standing army, so Congress had to raise and fund one. — Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026 Environmental concerns have held a central place in Costa Rica’s identity for years, much like its lack of a standing army, and the country has set ambitious sustainability goals. — Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026 With Stalin’s large standing army smothering half of Europe, and his fledgling nuclear arsenal extending Moscow’s ambitions overseas, America had to scramble. — Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for standing army
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standing army
  1. national guard
  2. militia
Noun
  • There are two national guard members waiting in line at the Starbucks on the ground floor.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 July 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
Definition of national guard
Noun
  • During those years, a generation of young men left the country to avoid compulsory military service in Israel's proxy Lebanese militia, known as the South Lebanon Army.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 26 July 2026
  • However, their mission proves more than challenging as Trask employs Reavers, a fleet of overpowered militia that abduct and abuse mutants.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 July 2026
Definition of militia

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standing armies
standing army
standing by
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Cite this Entry

“Standing army.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standing%20army. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on standing army

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about standing army

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