as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
a seafarer's legend that the remote island was inhabited by a warlike and uncivilized tribe
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Recent Examples of warlike
The inclusion of protest songs and the desire of the local community together to fight off the invaders is imbued with warlike determination and revolutionary zeal.
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Martin Dale, Variety, 17 May 2024
The group, which the ADL says emphasizes physical fitness and a warlike mentality, has focused mostly on disrupting events oriented toward the LGBTQ community, such as Drag Queen Story Hour readings for children.
—Tavleen Tarrant, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2024
After a fiery speech, Mishima—obsessed with physical beauty and warlike vigor—killed himself with a sword.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
Responding to her questionnaire, Cyril Connolly, the editor of Horizon magazine, pointed out that the aggressive aims of fascist states required a populace that was ‘rendered both warlike and servile’ – the ‘stultifying’, in other words, ‘of the human race’.
—Sarah Watling, Time, 13 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for warlike 
Martin Dale, Variety, 17 May 2024
The group, which the ADL says emphasizes physical fitness and a warlike mentality, has focused mostly on disrupting events oriented toward the LGBTQ community, such as Drag Queen Story Hour readings for children.
—Tavleen Tarrant, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2024
After a fiery speech, Mishima—obsessed with physical beauty and warlike vigor—killed himself with a sword.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
Responding to her questionnaire, Cyril Connolly, the editor of Horizon magazine, pointed out that the aggressive aims of fascist states required a populace that was ‘rendered both warlike and servile’ – the ‘stultifying’, in other words, ‘of the human race’.
—Sarah Watling, Time, 13 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for warlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warlike
Adjective
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The New Interest Rate Environment After a period of aggressive rate hikes to combat inflation, central banks are now easing their approach.Gianluca Sidoti, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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Udoka has successfully constructed a versatile, aggressive defensive unit that competes with the league’s best offenses.Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Iran continues to play a key role in regional conflicts, supporting militant groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, further complicating its diplomatic relations.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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However, the militant group cautioned that hurdles remain.Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Parker Solar Probe's ability to thrive in the hostile environment around the Sun is a tribute to the team that designed and built this remarkable spacecraft.Stephen Smith, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
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Most times, cats, as well as other pets, will take their time to get used to their new sibling, and may be hostile to them at first.Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near warlike
Cite this Entry
“Warlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warlike. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
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