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militarist 1 of 2

noun

Definition of militaristnext
as in hawk
one who urges or attempts to cause a war a government dominated by militarists

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

militarist

2 of 2

adjective

as in militaristic

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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 militarist
Noun
At the same time, the barrage of vitriol unleashed by China castigating Takaichi as a warmongering militarist includes a reprehensible threat by the Chinese consul-general in Osaka about beheading Takaichi. — Jeff Kingston, Time, 30 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labeled neo-militarist. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 31 May 2026 Right, in France, means pro-Catholic, pro-militarist. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militarist
  1. hawk
  2. militaristic
  3. militant
  4. belligerent
  5. warlike
  6. bellicose
Noun
  • Jared Bernstein, who served as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers during the Biden administration, has similarly sounded more like a debt hawk than a dove.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • At the same time, Sobyanin, who is widely seen as a pragmatist, has rebuffed calls by Russian hawks for a broad mobilization of conscripts and putting the entire economy on a war footing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of hawk
Adjective
  • After 2022, this heroic depiction of Russia acquired a much more openly militaristic tenor.
    — MICHAEL KIMMAGE, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026
  • In a great dramatic irony, his artistic pursuits, far away from the regimented goal of militaristic stoicism, lead to his initial tryout.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of militaristic
Noun
  • The advances would give the militants a stronger position to disrupt oil flows through the strait, which connects the southern Red Sea to global markets.
    — Spencer Kimball,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003, accused of developing and directing the 9/11 attacks, as a leader of the Islamic militant group al-Qaida.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • The fact that Putin has grown more belligerent at precisely the same time as Washington is pulling back is not a coincidence.
    — Franklin C. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Richard Olenick and Juan Mejia were more than halfway through the flight when a man two rows behind them in the first-class section started to become belligerent, Olenick said.
    — Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of belligerent
Adjective
  • Macron says fires are warlike crisis for France Out-of-control wildfires represent France’s greatest crisis since World War II, President Emmanuel Macron said.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 July 2026
  • The poem that precedes it, the Iliad, is a cruel and beautiful work, the ultimate story of war; the Odyssey has its warlike passages, but its central energies seem almost commonplace beside the merciless fury of Achilles.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
Definition of warlike
Adjective
  • Not that Georgian masculinity, with its macho, bellicose posturing and archaic codes of honor, is portrayed as anything other than fumbling and futile.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • At least, that’s what the bellicose rhetoric from Tehran suggests.
    — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of bellicose

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Cite this Entry

“Militarist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militarist. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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