What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
forces
Example
The rescue forces worked tirelessly to save the trapped hikers. [forces: noun]
Example
The economic forces of globalization have impacted many industries. [forces: noun]
military
Example
He served in the military for ten years before retiring. [military: noun]
Example
The general devised a brilliant military strategy to win the battle. [military: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Military is more commonly used than forces in everyday language, especially in the context of national defense and security. Forces is less common and tends to be used in more specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between forces and military?
Military is generally considered more formal than forces, which can have a more casual or informal connotation depending on the context.