militarism

noun

Definition of militarismnext
as in aggression
the opinions or actions of people who believe that a country should use military methods, forces, etc., to gain power and to achieve its goals The administration has been criticized for the militarism of its foreign policy.

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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 militarism Germany, Austria, and other countries turn to protectionism, xenophobia, militarism. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 His work often serves as commentary on polarizing issues, including migration, militarism, politics and capitalism. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026 Today, supposedly sophisticated moderns have laundered Moloch’s dark faith into militarism, imperialism, and capitalism. — Literary Hub, 3 June 2026 Moreover, in conflict and humanitarian situations, violence against LGBTQ+ people shares some key root causes driving violence against women and girls, such as restrictive gender norms and militarism. — Jenna Norosky, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for militarism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militarism
  1. aggression
  2. imperialism
  3. aggressiveness
  4. jingoism
  5. defiance
Noun
  • Hello to a new era The relationship was characterized by passive aggression, cryptic tweets and small slights that added up to a big, if not inevitable, breakup.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Ukraine and its neighbors are increasingly skeptical that the US will come to their aid in the face of Russian aggression, and are taking precautions accordingly.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • The Panama Canal, a symbol of rising US imperialism, was the destination for the very first overseas presidential trip, by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 16 June 2026
  • The very American imperialism that so endangered Muslim life had its roots in genocide and enslavement, the latter of which always took particular interest in black women.
    — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
Definition of imperialism
Noun
  • Dillon Thieneman’s speed Since draft night in April, Thieneman has been lauded for his combination of speed, instincts and aggressiveness.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • This is a lineup structured to thrive with a small-ball approach — high batting average, chaos and aggressiveness on the basepaths, and manufacturing runs.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • This was an era of over-the-top displays of patriotism and even jingoism; the phrase Let’s make America great again was in.
    — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Tapping into national pride — dare say jingoism — might have done the trick.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Definition of jingoism
Noun
  • Additionally, occasional rule-breaking and defiance are considered a normal part of child and adolescent development.
    — Elizabeth Dowdell, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
  • The funeral was also used to project defiance, with thousands of mourners filling Tehran and chanting for revenge.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of defiance

Browse Nearby Words

militants
militarism
militarist
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on militarism

Nglish: Translation of militarism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about militarism

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