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
Bigelow has often been accused of being apolitical—or, because of her fascination with the codes, rites, and aesthetics of men at war, of advancing a gung-ho fetishization of American militarism.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
People implemented racist clauses in housing deeds and rejected or offered outrageously predatory lending terms to nonwhites, permitting exceptions occasionally to Asians only by assuming their proximity to whiteness or to American militarism.
—Arabelle Sicardi, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
The state media and government representatives push militarism and self-sacrifice; school curricula endlessly celebrate Russian war victories; theaters obediently stage works of communist-era patriotic authors; and cities display army recruitment banners and hero worship posters.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Yet cinema and television have become the media for engaging large audiences on the most fundamental issues, including militarism and the occupation.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for militarism
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
People implemented racist clauses in housing deeds and rejected or offered outrageously predatory lending terms to nonwhites, permitting exceptions occasionally to Asians only by assuming their proximity to whiteness or to American militarism.
—Arabelle Sicardi, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
The state media and government representatives push militarism and self-sacrifice; school curricula endlessly celebrate Russian war victories; theaters obediently stage works of communist-era patriotic authors; and cities display army recruitment banners and hero worship posters.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Yet cinema and television have become the media for engaging large audiences on the most fundamental issues, including militarism and the occupation.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share