B2adjective2K

Armed

UK /["/ɑːmd/"]/US /["/ɑːrmd/"]/

Definition

involving the use of weapons

In simple words: Carrying weapons.

Examples

  • an **armed robbery**
  • an international **armed conflict** *(= a war)*
  • Guerrillas have pledged to intensify the **armed struggle** against the new government.
  • The man is armed and dangerous.
  • **armed guards/police**
  • Police were **heavily armed**.
  • He was armed with a rifle.
  • He chased an **armed robber** away from his store.
  • He was armed with all the facts.
  • I sat down by the lake armed with a pair of binoculars.

Usage notes

Used to describe someone or something that has weapons. Appropriate in news, security, and law enforcement contexts, but may not be suitable when talking about non-serious situations.

Grammar pattern

armed + with + object

Memory hint

Think of 'armed' as 'armed to the teeth' — imagine someone with lots of weapons.

Collocations

  • be
  • heavily
  • well
  • lightly
  • with

Synonyms

  • equipped
  • armed with weapons
  • loaded
  • weaponized

Antonyms

  • unarmed
  • defenseless

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'armed' with 'armored', which refers to protective gear.
  • Omitting the preposition when describing what someone is armed with.