warlike

adjective

war·​like ˈwȯr-ˌlīk How to pronounce warlike (audio)
1
obsolete : ready for war : equipped to fight
2
: fit for, disposed to, or fond of war : bellicose
a warlike people
3
: of, relating to, or useful in war
warlike preparations
4
: befitting or characteristic of war or a soldier
warlike cries

Examples of warlike in a Sentence

The government has been criticized for its warlike attitude. a seafarer's legend that the remote island was inhabited by a warlike and uncivilized tribe
Recent Examples on the Web Some characters die violently in a warlike atmosphere, and the remaining ones struggle with their losses. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 12 July 2024 China is constantly searching for opportunities to take bits of territory and catch its opponent by surprise, without taking overt warlike actions. Brahma Chellaney, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2021 Writing in the journal Current Biology, researchers from Harvard University found that male bonobos actually engage in three times the amount of mano-a-mano combat than their more warlike cousin, the chimpanzee. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 5 June 2024 In daytime, younger men engage in ferocious warlike dances and combative ceremonial dialogues that spark more commentary from the smiling oldsters. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for warlike 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'warlike.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of warlike was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near warlike

Cite this Entry

“Warlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warlike. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

warlike

adjective
war·​like ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌlīk How to pronounce warlike (audio)
1
: fond of war
warlike people
2
: of, relating to, or used in war
warlike preparations

More from Merriam-Webster on warlike

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