veterans

10 synonyms and 5 antonyms for veterans, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — People who have served in the armed forces, especially those who are no longer serving.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

experienced

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

seasoned

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

ex-servicemen and women former soldiers vets ex-military old hands stalwarts long-servers long-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.”

ex-servicemen and women former soldiers vets ex-military

Opposites

recruits conscripts

2. noun

People with long experience in a particular job, sport or activity.

“Two veterans of the newsroom were let go in the restructure.”

old hands stalwarts long-servers

Opposites

novices rookies beginners

3. adjective

Long-serving and highly experienced.

“Veteran officers were called in to advise on the case.”

seasoned experienced long-serving

How to use veterans

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

war veterans military veterans veterans' benefits veterans of the campaign

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.

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experienced seasoned

Nearby words

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