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

Andersen in particular has struggled with such an aggressive role, where recovery pace and stomping channel defending are required to keep the shape.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Brown has two catches that converted third downs into firsts, providing a release valve against some aggressive Seahawks blitzes.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of aggressive

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

Terrorism wasn’t a completely foreign concept, but the notion of a hostile, coordinated attack on our soil, at that scale, seemed like something that might only happen in a Tom Clancy novel or a summer blockbuster movie.

— Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Now, civil engineer Jishen Qiu and his team wondered if engineers could exploit Mars’s hostile climate, rather than fighting the planet’s extremely low temperature.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of warlike

adjective

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