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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
This truth, in fact, can be extended to a significant number of other nations where science to varying degrees has been a victim of politicization, isolation, and retreat—Japan during the period of ultra-militarism, Spain under Franco, Iran in the hands of its theocratic regime.
—
Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
But militarism and conquest of the landscape were major themes of the growing right-wing nationalism in Austria, in which Mörk became immersed.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 12 Sep. 2025
Known for conservative positions such as revising the pacifist constitution, Takaichi is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni shrine to honour Japan's war dead, viewed by Beijing and others as a symbol of past militarism.
—Kaori Kaneko, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
These included sportiness, a touch of militarism, some great pantsuits, romantic flourishes, legginess (often via bike shorts), fun with foulards and tassels, and new takes on the Ivy look.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for militarism
Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
But militarism and conquest of the landscape were major themes of the growing right-wing nationalism in Austria, in which Mörk became immersed.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 12 Sep. 2025
Known for conservative positions such as revising the pacifist constitution, Takaichi is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni shrine to honour Japan's war dead, viewed by Beijing and others as a symbol of past militarism.
—Kaori Kaneko, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
These included sportiness, a touch of militarism, some great pantsuits, romantic flourishes, legginess (often via bike shorts), fun with foulards and tassels, and new takes on the Ivy look.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for militarism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militarism
Noun
-
Although the balloon incident has not been directly linked to Moscow, Lithuania's border closures add to tensions spiked by accusations of Russian incursions into NATO airspace amid Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Because taking league matches to America, Australia, Saudi Arabia or anywhere else would be an act of aggression.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Criticism of capitalism and imperialism undermining individual dignity drives a ton of his work, from the 1967 anti–Vietnam War short film The Big Shave to his 2002 NYC origin story Gangs of New York, and Scorsese comparing that film’s Natives gang to the Proud Boys is thought provoking as hell.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The filmmakers view Russell’s commitment to pacifism, opposition to imperialism, and humanitarian principles as particularly resonant today.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Just nothing, not dictating at the point of attack, no aggressiveness to it at all.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Prostate cancers are graded for aggressiveness in the Gleason grading system, which ranges from 6 to 10, with 10 being the most aggressive.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That it’s never made clear who fired the missile — everyone’s a possible enemy, though it’s strongly suggested that the North Koreans are ultimately responsible — invites charges of jingoism or at least of a soft embrace of American exceptionalism.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The level of jingoism and rallying behind Modi has been very strong.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Here, in two very different settings, its mix of exultation, defiance and acknowledgment of the very real possibility of defeat could not be more apt.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The Barca team also participated — in defiance of their own club hierarchy — by pausing during the first 15 seconds of their match at home to Girona the previous day.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Militarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militarism. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share