warlike

adjective

war·like | \ ˈwȯr-ˌlīk

How to pronounce warlike (audio)

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Definition of warlike

1 obsolete : ready for war : equipped to fight

2 : fit for, disposed to, or fond of war : bellicose a warlike people

3 : of, relating to, or useful in war warlike preparations

4 : befitting or characteristic of war or a soldier warlike cries

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Examples of warlike in a Sentence

The government has been criticized for its warlike attitude. a seafarer's legend that the remote island was inhabited by a warlike and uncivilized tribe

Recent Examples on the Web The president encouraged his Twitter and Facebook followers to attend Wednesday’s rally, at times using warlike imagery to urge supporters to show up. — The Associated Press, NOLA.com, "A Slidell man went to Trump rally, spurred by QAnon. Here's how online conspiracies fueled crowds.," 8 Jan. 2021 The president encouraged his Twitter and Facebook followers to attend Wednesday's rally, at times using warlike imagery to urge supporters to show up. — Amanda Seitz, Star Tribune, "Mob at U.S. Capitol encouraged by online conspiracy theories," 7 Jan. 2021 Chief Harrison said the warlike mentality of some young men only leads to an endless cycle of violence. — New York Times, "Why These Young Men Carry Guns," 8 Dec. 2020 For dirty work, this warlike roughneck has no peer. — Tony Swan, Popular Mechanics, ""Earth Mover": PM Test Drives the 1992 Civilian Hummer," 20 Oct. 2020 Moreover, the Greeks described the warlike Amazons nourishing their babies with mares’ milk. — National Geographic, "The fierce Amazons were more than just a myth—they were real," 18 June 2020 The coronovirus crisis shoved the state into a near-warlike footing. — Kevin Fagan, SFChronicle.com, "Coronavirus and homelessness: SF wants to house people in schools, churches," 17 Mar. 2020 Cristina Mascheroni, the head of a Lombardy association of intensive care doctors, said colleagues in WhatsApp groups were describing the situation as warlike. — Chico Harlan, Washington Post, "As coronavirus cases grow, hospitals in Northern Italy are running out of beds," 12 Mar. 2020 Raising a Khan In 1206 Genghis Khan united the tribes of the Mongol steppe and set their warlike sights far beyond their homeland. — National Geographic, "THE BEST OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX," 2 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'warlike.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

21 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Warlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warlike. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for warlike

warlike

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of warlike

: liking or tending to fight in wars or to start wars

: showing or suggesting that a country, group, etc., is ready or eager to fight a war

: of, relating to, or useful in war

See the full definition for warlike in the English Language Learners Dictionary

warlike

adjective

war·like | \ ˈwȯr-ˌlīk

\

Kids Definition of warlike

1 : fond of war warlike people

2 : fit for or characteristic of war warlike aggression

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