paramilitary

noun

1. A group of civilians trained and organized in a military fashion, but which do not represent the formal forces of a sovereign power.

   “From the start of its operations in Colombia, the company was on guard against the decadeslong civil strife in the country between left-wing guerrilla and right-wing paramilitary groups, witnesses have testified.”

   “Cossack paramilitaries operate in Ukraine and southern Russia. […] Before he entered eastern Ukraine, Girkin led paramilitary groups in Crimea and negotiated with Ukrainian military officers in attempts to induce them to defect to Russia.”

2. (colloquial)A member of a paramilitary group.

adj

1. (not-comparable)Relating to a paramilitary.