Entry Word: martial

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 of, relating to, or suitable for war or a warrior <the young recruit looked all grown up in his new martial uniform>

Synonyms military, soldierly

Related Words aggressive, bellicose, combative, contentious, guerrilla, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, warlike; belligerent, militant, warring; antagonistic, argumentative, fierce, gladiatorial, hot-tempered; mercenary

Near Antonyms civil, civilian, nonmilitary; conciliatory, nonviolent, pacific, peaceable, peaceful; affable, amiable, amicable, benevolent, complaisant, cordial, easygoing, friendly, genial, good-natured, gracious, ingratiating, obliging

Antonyms unsoldierly

2 of or relating to the armed services <one of the basic tenets of martial law> — see military 1