veterans
5 antonyms and opposites of veterans, grouped by meaning.
Noun — People who have served in the armed forces, especially those who are no longer serving.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
People who have served in the armed forces, especially those who are no longer serving.
“The charity provides housing for homeless veterans.”
Opposites
2. noun
People with long experience in a particular job, sport or activity.
“Two veterans of the newsroom were let go in the restructure.”
Opposites
3. adjective
Long-serving and highly experienced.
“Veteran officers were called in to advise on the case.”
Antonyms
How to use veterans
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral. In American usage it defaults to the military sense; British writers often say ex-servicemen or veterans interchangeably.
Etymology
From Latin veteranus 'old, experienced', from vetus 'old'.
Full origin of veterans →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a veteran and an active-duty service member?
An active-duty service member is currently serving in the armed forces. A veteran has completed their service and left. In the United States, most benefit programmes also require that the discharge was other than dishonourable.
Do you have to have fought in a war to be a veteran?
No. Anyone who served in the armed forces qualifies, whether or not they were deployed to a conflict. A combat veteran is the narrower term for someone who served in a war zone.
When is Veterans Day?
In the United States, 11 November. It honours all who have served, while Memorial Day in late May specifically remembers those who died in service. The United Kingdom marks the same November date as Remembrance Day.