militarism
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
2
: a policy of aggressive military preparedness
Examples of militarism in a Sentence
The administration has been criticized for the militarism of its foreign policy.
Recent Examples on the Web
The ayatollahs have deprived the country of a prosperous civil society, channelling resources instead into militarism and messianic fantasy.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
Iran had significantly ramped up its enrichment capacity, with even the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (not exactly friendly to Israeli militarism) having determined that Iran had been enriching uranium well beyond the level of civilian use, and closer to military grade.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 June 2025
Ahead of the parade, hotel workers, officials and many members of the public wore the orange-and-black ribbon of St. George, a Russian military symbol that especially since Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has been associated with Russian nationalism and militarism.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 9 May 2025
Their concern was that a more assertive Germany would reawaken old fears about German militarism.
—Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for militarism
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David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
Iran had significantly ramped up its enrichment capacity, with even the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (not exactly friendly to Israeli militarism) having determined that Iran had been enriching uranium well beyond the level of civilian use, and closer to military grade.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 June 2025
Ahead of the parade, hotel workers, officials and many members of the public wore the orange-and-black ribbon of St. George, a Russian military symbol that especially since Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has been associated with Russian nationalism and militarism.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 9 May 2025
Their concern was that a more assertive Germany would reawaken old fears about German militarism.
—Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for militarism
Cite this Entry
“Militarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militarism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
militarism
noun
mil·i·ta·rism
ˈmil-ə-tə-ˌriz-əm
1
: control or rule by a military class
2
: extreme admiration and praise of military virtues and ideals
3
: a policy of aggressive military readiness
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