MILITARISTIC Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

militaristic

adjective

as in militarist

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 militaristic 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 Priced from $41,520, the MT1 looks like something from the world of Japanese anime, with none of the militaristic menace of Tesla’s pickup. — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The seemingly militaristic act of archery and peaceful meditation may seem diametrically opposed. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 In militaristic sync as they pound treadmills, down protein shakes and take steroid injections in the buttocks, a gymnasium full of lavishly buff (even 24-packed, to quote a droll visual gag) gay men blankly sing the praises of the body-beautiful lifestyle to a pounding EDM beat. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 May 2026 The suited ensemble emphasized militaristic utility, with a long-sleeve jacket embroidered with muted gold sinuous motifs. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 May 2026 The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026 Germany was long seen as hesitant to appear overly militaristic or nationalistic, but the Ukraine war — and now the Iran conflict — has pushed Berlin to increase defense spending and crystallize its own national interests. — Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for militaristic

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

Definition of militarist

Adjective

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
Bailey said the man with the gun was well known in the building for being belligerent and showing off his weapon.

— Ellen Schmidt, Los Angeles Times, 3 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

There are concerns that the Houthis' advance toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could have significant ramifications for energy markets and global trade, particularly if the militant group ratchets up threats or attacks on Red Sea shipping.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 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 Qaeda.

— Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

At least, that’s what the bellicose rhetoric from Tehran suggests.

— Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
At National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, a controversial but popular Russian studies program introduced last fall has nothing to do with the glories of imperial Russia and everything to do with the thinking and motivations of the bellicose power next door.

— Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2026

Definition of bellicose

Adjective

Current and former employees said Allen is largely an absentee leader who is combative and who put his workers in harm’s way by not acting sooner to address building concerns prior to a roof collapse last year.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
With the midterm election just weeks away, Democrats laced into Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a combative House hearing Tuesday.

— Matt Peterson, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of combative

Adjective

On one hand, the aggressive expansion of data centers is intensifying competition for finite resources like land and water, putting them in direct conflict with agricultural land use in certain regions.

— , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
Harsh cleaners and aggressive scrubbing can damage these surfaces.

— Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Browse Nearby Words

militarist

militaristic

militarists

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Militaristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militaristic. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of militaristic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

churlish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes