militarism

1 of 3

noun (1)

Synonyms of militarism
1
a
: predominance of the military class or its ideals
b
: exaltation of military virtues and ideals
2
: a policy of aggressive military preparedness

militarist

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural -s
1
archaic : an expert in military matters
2
: one imbued with militarism

militarist

3 of 3

adjective

"
: characterized by militarism
militarist faction
: dominated by military aims and ideals
militarist dictator
militaristic adjective
militaristically adverb

Examples of militarism in a Sentence

Noun (1) The administration has been criticized for the militarism of its foreign policy.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
That is using militarism and war as an excuse for people to make profit. June 1, NPR, 1 June 2026 Yet by 2012, Putin had steered the country back toward self-isolation and militarism. Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026 All-singing, all-dancing American optimism-cum-militarism isn’t really the play’s subject so much as its mode. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026 The larger systems of fossil capitalism and militarism depend on one another. Mehrnoush Soroush, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for militarism

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

militar(y) + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of militarism was in 1863

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Militarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militarism. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

militarism

noun
1
: control or rule by a military class
2
: extreme admiration and praise of military virtues and ideals
3
: a policy of aggressive military readiness
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