warlike Hear it!

warlike Definition

war·like (wôrlīk′)

adjective

  1. fit for, fond of, or ready for war; bellicose; martial
  2. of or appropriate to war
  3. threatening, or suggesting the likelihood of, war
warlike Synonyms

warlike

modif.

  1. Belligerent

    hostile, truculent, attacking, pugnacious, offensive; see also aggressive 2.

  2. Military

    soldierly, bellicose, martial; see fighting, militaristic, military. See syn. study at military.

warlike Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • prince: When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state, his general ship shows itself in preventing the concentration of the enemy's forces.
  • tribe: They were a warlike tribe who lived deep in the heart of Asia.
  • preparation: At the same time Pompeius prosecuted his warlike preparations with energy.
  • spirit: She had a warlike spirit that preferred trouble to idleness.
  • store: The Arsenal dates from 1670 and has manufactured many different items of warlike stores for the armed forces.

Modifying Another Word

  • inherently: He makes the bold claim that human beings are not inherently warlike.
  • somewhat: As the Peace Center was taking on a somewhat warlike character, I chose to call in the authorities and slip out the back.
  • too: Although backed by Catharine's father Simon, Henry appears too warlike to win the hand of the mild-mannered ' Maid ' .
  • so: And they were so warlike that even the Asiatics drove them out of Asia into eastern Europe.
warlike Quotes

Rough, boisterous, stormy and altogether warlike, I am born to fight against innumerable monsters and devils.

—Luther, Martin

Oh, doughty sons of Hungary! May all success Attend and bless Your warlike ironmongery!

—Gilbert, Sir W(illiam) S(chwenck)

Browse dictionary entries near warlike

  1. warison
  2. waring
  3. wariness
  4. warily
  5. wariest
  6. warier
  7. warhorse
  8. Warhol
  9. warhead
  10. warfarin
  1. warlock
  2. warlord
  3. warlordism
  4. warm
  5. warm front
  6. warm over
  7. warm-up
  8. warmblooded
  9. warmbloodedness
  10. warmed-over