warlord

noun

war·​lord ˈwȯr-ˌlȯrd How to pronounce warlord (audio)
1
: a supreme military leader
2
: a military commander exercising civil power by force usually in a limited area
warlordism noun

Examples of warlord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The zombie warlord is an interdimensional memeplex called SCP-3125. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 28 May 2025 According to Human Rights Watch, early in the morning of Nov. 17, 2022, armed men affiliated with a locally infamous warlord entered his home in a gritty section of Tripoli and dragged him into a car in front of his wife and children. Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 20 May 2025 Afterburn is directed by J.J. Perry and follows an ex-soldier played, who works as a treasure hunter recovering valuable objects for powerful clients and is tasked with recovering the Mona Lisa before it’s found by a warlord. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025 In 1900, no one serving in the late Qing dynasty expected that in 20 years the country would be a republic feuded over by warlords. Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for warlord

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of warlord was in 1856

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Cite this Entry

“Warlord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warlord. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

warlord

noun
1
: an important military leader
2
: a military leader who governs an area by force

More from Merriam-Webster on warlord

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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