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armed forces pl (normally plural, singular armed force)

1. The military forces of a nation, such as the army, navy, air force, marines, and sometimes, coastguard or border guard, which are tasked with the defence of the nation and its citizens, if necessary through use of deadly force.
   • 2020 September 23, Shi Chuan, “When Police Officers No Longer Work for Dictators”, in Minghui‎^[1]:

     What dictators fear most is losing the support of the armed forces, and when this happens, it's as if a ferocious beast has lost its teeth.