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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Recent Examples of warlike
In daytime, younger men engage in ferocious warlike dances and combative ceremonial dialogues that spark more commentary from the smiling oldsters.
—
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 May 2024
The inclusion of protest songs and the desire of the local community together to fight off the invaders is imbued with warlike determination and revolutionary zeal.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 17 May 2024
The group, which the ADL says emphasizes physical fitness and a warlike mentality, has focused mostly on disrupting events oriented toward the LGBTQ community, such as Drag Queen Story Hour readings for children.
—Tavleen Tarrant, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2024
After a fiery speech, Mishima—obsessed with physical beauty and warlike vigor—killed himself with a sword.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for warlike
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 May 2024
The inclusion of protest songs and the desire of the local community together to fight off the invaders is imbued with warlike determination and revolutionary zeal.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 17 May 2024
The group, which the ADL says emphasizes physical fitness and a warlike mentality, has focused mostly on disrupting events oriented toward the LGBTQ community, such as Drag Queen Story Hour readings for children.
—Tavleen Tarrant, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2024
After a fiery speech, Mishima—obsessed with physical beauty and warlike vigor—killed himself with a sword.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for warlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warlike
Adjective
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Trump prompts a more aggressive digital posture Democrats adopted a more combative stance online in recent weeks as Trump’s moves to slash the federal workforce drew protests from liberals and pushback at GOP town halls.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2025
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As a result, teams are taking a more aggressive approach.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Israel launched its military assault on Gaza after the militant group Hamas killed at least 1,200 people in Israel and abducted more than 250 others on October 7, 2023.—
Don Riddell,
CNN,
19 Mar. 2025
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Why did the ceasefire break down? Both Israel and the Trump administration have blamed Hamas for the resumption of hostilities, citing the militant group's refusal to meet Israel's demand to release more hostages in return for the resumption of talks.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC News,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Andreas typically waits until there have been three instances of potential hostile communication before asking her friend or colleague if everything is OK.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
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Home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations – most of them from Afghanistan – Pakistan has not always welcomed the foreigners, subjecting them to hostile living conditions and threatening deportation over the years.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warlike. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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