Synonyms of martial

martial

adjective

ˈmär-shəl 

1

as in military

of, relating to, or suitable for war or a warrior

the marching band played "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and several other martial airs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• military
• soldierly
• guerrilla
• aggressive
• warlike
• militant
• combative
• militaristic
• warring
• mercenary
• bellicose
• militarist
• pugnacious
• contentious
• belligerent
• gladiatorial
• quarrelsome
• antagonistic
• truculent
• scrappy
• argumentative
• fierce
• hot-tempered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• civil
• civilian
• nonmilitary
• nonviolent
• peaceful
• unsoldierly
• peaceable
• pacific
• conciliatory
• benevolent
• amiable
• friendly
• gracious
• cordial
• easygoing
• amicable
• good-natured
• genial
• affable
• complaisant
• ingratiating
• obliging

2

as in naval

of or relating to the armed services

one of the basic tenets of martial law

Synonyms & Similar Words

• military
• naval
• service
• paramilitary
• mercenary
• militant
• warlike
• militaristic
• soldierly
• gladiatorial
• militarist
• regular
• enlisted
• GI

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• civil
• civilian
• nonmilitary

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of martial

The actor met the martial artist on the set of his 2015 film The Intern. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026

The central enemies are the supernatural Genma, while Sasaki Ganryu serves as one of Musashi's major martial rivals. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Seconds later, that same man is engaged in a slow-motion martial-arts fight scene. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026

Hence the enduring agency, admittedly fainter in reproduction, of evil eyes reproduced on martial regalia to this day. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing martial

• martial law