armed
5 synonyms and 2 antonyms for armed, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Carrying or equipped with a weapon.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
weapon-carrying
gun-toting
Antonyms
armless
unarmed
How to use armed
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
armed robbery
armed forces
armed and dangerous
armed with information
Etymology
From arm ("to equip with weapons") + the suffix -ed.
Full origin of armed →Frequently asked questions
What does “armed” mean?
The word “armed” means carrying or equipped with a weapon. In plain terms, carrying a weapon, or more broadly, equipped and ready with something (information, tools, a system).
How do you pronounce “armed”?
“Armed” is pronounced ahmd (/ɑɹmd/ in IPA).
How do you use “armed” in a sentence?
Here is “armed” used in a sentence: “Armed police guarded the entrance to the building.”
What part of speech is “armed”?
“Armed” is an adjective.
Is “armed” a common word?
“Armed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “armed” have?
“Armed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: carrying or equipped with a weapon.
What is the difference between armed and unarmed?
'Armed' means carrying or equipped with a weapon; 'unarmed' means having no weapon at all. The distinction matters in law and policing, where an armed suspect is treated very differently from an unarmed one, and in the military, where armed forces are equipped for combat.
What does 'armed' mean besides carrying weapons?
'Armed' is often used figuratively to mean equipped or prepared with something useful — 'armed with the facts', 'armed with a good umbrella'. It can also describe something made ready to operate, such as an armed alarm or a device that has been set to activate.
What is an example of 'armed'?
An armed guard carries a weapon while on duty, and a country's armed forces are its military. Figuratively, a lawyer walking into court armed with evidence is well prepared rather than carrying a weapon. The word signals being equipped — usually with arms, sometimes with knowledge or tools.
