militarism

noun

mil·i·ta·rism | \ ˈmi-lə-tə-ˌri-zəm

Definition of militarism

1a : predominance of the military class or its ideals

b : exaltation of military virtues and ideals

2 : a policy of aggressive military preparedness

Other Words from militarism Example Sentences Learn More about militarism

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Other Words from militarism

militarist \ ˈmi-lə-tə-rist

\ noun or adjective

militaristic \ ˌmi-lə-tə-ˈri-stik

\ adjective

militaristically \ ˌmi-lə-tə-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Examples of militarism in a Sentence

The administration has been criticized for the militarism of its foreign policy.

Recent Examples on the Web

All this is explored through the eyes of Mr Stanley’s two subjects, both of whom resisted the tide of militarism and xenophobia. — The Economist, "How Einstein and Eddington stood against jingoism," 7 June 2019 Many well-intending faces do as well, for reasons that have nothing to do with militarism. — Adrian Bonenberger, The New Republic, "The Sum of All Beards," 4 June 2019 Foreign opinion, high and low, held the kaiser responsible for German militarism and aggression. — Isabel V. Hull, The New York Review of Books, "Hang the Kaiser?," 21 Mar. 2019 The discovery of La Cuernavilla is poised to help researchers probe this angle further by illuminating the intricacies of Maya militarism. — Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, "The Lost World of the Maya is Finally Emerging From the Jungle," 7 Feb. 2019 Nine years later, in 1914, Woodrow Wilson delivered an idealistic speech almost opposite in tenor, proclaiming the benefits of peace and warning against militarism. — Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, "Trump’s speech to Naval Academy graduates: A presidential tradition with deep roots," 25 May 2018 While Wilhelm’s militarism and bellicosity aren’t defensible, any parallels to Donald Trump have to be limited to behavioral flaws: emotional, prone to anger, sometimes rash and perhaps even a little immature. — WSJ, "Comparison Unfair to Wilhelm II and Trump," 11 Nov. 2018 It was also meant to prevent the resurgence of nationalist militarism in Europe, and encourage political integration. — David Rising, Fox News, "A look at NATO and what the alliance does, past and present," 13 July 2018 King was distressed at the shift in attention from human needs to militarism. — Livia Gershon, Longreads, "The Prosperity Plea," 30 May 2018

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.