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militarism

noun

Definition of militarismnext
as in aggression
the opinions or actions of people who believe that a country should use military methods, forces, etc., to gain power and to achieve its goals The administration has been criticized for the militarism of its foreign policy.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of militarism Memories of Imperial Japan’s human rights abuses were still fresh in people’s minds – fueling fears that any such law or intelligence reform could backslide once again to surveillance, militarism and repression. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026 From the other side of the ideological spectrum, anti-Nazis interpreted the tolerant and pacifist spirit of the film as a rebuke to Nazi eugenics and militarism. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026 Germany, Austria, and other countries turn to protectionism, xenophobia, militarism. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 That is using militarism and war as an excuse for people to make profit. — June 1, NPR, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for militarism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militarism
  1. aggression
  2. imperialism
  3. aggressiveness
  4. jingoism
  5. defiance
Noun
  • Pushing a pro-Russia position not only undermines sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine but also harms America’s relationships with other critical European allies, for whom Russia’s aggression is a paramount threat.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The Greenland deal comes as European countries brace for possible aggression from Russia amid its war with Ukraine.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • More than a record of a single moment, American Occupation places Operation Metro Surge in conversation with the longer history of American expansion, imperialism, borders, and the US government’s abuse of power against its own civilians.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Perhaps this saga of planetary conquest is also a sly commentary on Hollywood imperialism, in which even the most far-flung of small-town tales must be overwhelmed by big-name stars in visual-effects drag.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of imperialism
Noun
  • Indeed, heads quickly began to turn as the Chicago Bears defensive tackle showed no fear and an abundance of aggressiveness.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Is the nation’s vaunted politeness actually just passive-aggressiveness?
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • Starting with an onscreen Biblical quote, the screenplay often feels on the brink of conservative jingoism that never quite becomes explicit.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But aside from that scene, and some odd red, white and blue sparkler-like fireworks visible in the New York Harbor, which curiously distract from a view of the Statue of Liberty, Soarin’ Across America doesn’t lay on the jingoism.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of jingoism
Noun
  • Her Easter Sunday performance at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 in front of 75,000 spectators remains a touchstone of defiance in an age of racial violence.
    — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Her decision to so publicly criticize him was a rare instance of GOP defiance, especially in her district, which Trump carried by more than a dozen points two years ago.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of defiance

Browse Nearby Words

militants
militarism
militarist
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Cite this Entry

“Militarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militarism. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on militarism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about militarism

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