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

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-singing, all-dancing American optimism-cum-militarism isn’t really the play’s subject so much as its mode. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026

The larger systems of fossil capitalism and militarism depend on one another. —Mehrnoush Soroush, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

Left means more skeptical of militarism, more secular. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025

In Germany, a national culture of remembrance – conscious of never repeating the horrors of Nazi militarism – is confronting the imperative of rearmament to support a reassertion of Europe’s core values. —The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing militarism

• anti-militarism

Rhymes for militarism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Kids 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

militarist

-rəst 

noun

militaristic

ˌmil-ə-tə-ˈris-tik 

adjective