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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Lately, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has taken an aggressive posture toward Europe.—
Eric Berger,
Ars Technica,
12 Mar. 2025
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Though McBride — who has been subject to many aggressive comments from House Republicans since joining Congress in January — attempted to move on with the hearing, Massachusetts Rep. William Keating refused to let Self's disrespectful comment slide.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Amid the ongoing negotiations over a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia amid their ongoing war, Trump has spoken favorably of Putin while having a sometimes openly hostile relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
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Bill Belichick's 24-year-old cheerleader girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, posted a screenshot of a hostile exchange with an Instagram user who criticized the couple's relationship Friday.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warlike. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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