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You know what it looks like… but what is it called?
TAKE THE QUIZmilitarism
noun
mil·i·ta·rism
ˈmi-lə-tə-ˌri-zəm 
1
a
: predominance of the military class or its ideals
b
: exaltation of military virtues and ideals
Example Sentences
The administration has been criticized for the militarism of its foreign policy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite a radical-right minority, Germany is largely defined by its aversion to extreme nationalism and militarism.
—
James Angelos, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023
The speech condemns militarism and extravagant military spending.
—Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2023
On a global scale, the United States exports policing tactics and militarism that inflicts disability as a tactic to gain imperial and colonial advantages.
—A.h. Reaume, Longreads, 10 Feb. 2022
The dark side of liberalism is its blindness to the threats of oppressive economic power, its blindness to militarism and imperialism abroad.
—Patrick J. Deneen, Harper’s Magazine , 5 Jan. 2023
Their instinctive hostility toward authority was exacerbated by wartime incarceration and the brutality of the conflict, which only confirmed their view of government as a source of tyranny and militarism rather than justice and equality.
—Daniel Akst, WSJ, 7 Dec. 2022
For years, the Republicans have been the party more inclined to militarism and hawkish foreign policy.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2022
Neoconservatives are the right-wing block of a foreign policy establishment that has tended toward militarism and hawkishness, typified by the George W. Bush administration and people like Bill Kristol, John Bolton, and Lindsey Graham.
—Blaise Malley, The New Republic, 1 Sep. 2022
Banksy is known for his unique style of stenciling and for his profound statements on migration, militarism and modern politics.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022
See More
James Angelos, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023
The speech condemns militarism and extravagant military spending.
—Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2023
On a global scale, the United States exports policing tactics and militarism that inflicts disability as a tactic to gain imperial and colonial advantages.
—A.h. Reaume, Longreads, 10 Feb. 2022
The dark side of liberalism is its blindness to the threats of oppressive economic power, its blindness to militarism and imperialism abroad.
—Patrick J. Deneen, Harper’s Magazine , 5 Jan. 2023
Their instinctive hostility toward authority was exacerbated by wartime incarceration and the brutality of the conflict, which only confirmed their view of government as a source of tyranny and militarism rather than justice and equality.
—Daniel Akst, WSJ, 7 Dec. 2022
For years, the Republicans have been the party more inclined to militarism and hawkish foreign policy.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2022
Neoconservatives are the right-wing block of a foreign policy establishment that has tended toward militarism and hawkishness, typified by the George W. Bush administration and people like Bill Kristol, John Bolton, and Lindsey Graham.
—Blaise Malley, The New Republic, 1 Sep. 2022
Banksy is known for his unique style of stenciling and for his profound statements on migration, militarism and modern politics.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'militarism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing militarism
Dictionary Entries Near militarism
Cite this Entry
“Militarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militarism. Accessed 9 Feb. 2023.
Kids Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on militarism
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for militarism
Nglish: Translation of militarism for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about militarism
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