WARLIKE Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

warlike

adjective

ˈwȯr-ˌlīk

Definition of warlike

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight a seafarer's legend that the remote island was inhabited by a warlike and uncivilized tribe

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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 warlike Ludwig’s distant paternal ancestors were in fact German Jewish merchants, not warlike princes. — Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025 His warlike actions in Iran, despite campaign promises to the contrary, blatantly bypassed the need to gain approval from the legislative branch of government. — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025 Freyja, however, is a more warlike goddess, and even has a part in selecting warriors for her hall in the afterlife. — Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 The Coming Economic Crisis Outwardly, many Russians seem to support the Kremlin’s warlike stance toward the West. — Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 9 Feb. 2022 See All Example Sentences for warlike

Recent Examples of Synonyms for warlike

Adjective

Bam Adebayo wasn’t aggressive enough on the offensive side of the ball, which has been a consistent story line of his nine-year NBA career.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
On a network like this, rule-breaking often isn’t aggressive at all.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, while Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the militant Islamic State group.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Labor lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, while Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the militant Islamic State group.

— Rod McGuirk, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

About 70% of the members of Brazil’s lower house and 80% of the Senate are considered to be hostile to environmental and climate agendas, according to the observatory.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
In a turnabout from Orbán’s hostile approach to Kyiv, Magyar’s government has expressed solidarity with Ukraine and designated Russia a national security threat.

— Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostile

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waring

warlike

warlock

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“Warlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warlike. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of warlike

adjective

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