warlike

[ wawr-lahyk ]

adjective

1. fit, qualified, or ready for war; martial:

   a warlike fleet; warlike tribes.

2. threatening or indicating war:

   a warlike tone.

   Synonyms: unfriendly, inimical, hostile, belligerent, bellicose

   Antonyms: peaceful

3. of or relating to war:

   a warlike expedition.

warlike

/ ˈwɔːˌlaɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or used in war
2. hostile or belligerent
3. fit or ready for war

Other Words From

• un·warlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of warlike¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; war ¹, -like

Example Sentences

So sure, running primaries against people like this can be called warlike acts.

From The Daily Beast

Sending anything more warlike than a progressively increasing amount of American military aid and advisers was not in the cards.

From The Daily Beast

One education professor said the song taught millions of children that "the only real patriotism is warlike activity."

From The Daily Beast

The president's Oval Office address on the oil spill sounded more warlike than his speeches on Afghanistan.

From The Daily Beast

They are “peaceful” because they are not warlike now—again, another ambiguity perpetrated by the regime.

From The Daily Beast

In a warlike age this peacefulness of a monarch was the great and supernatural phenomenon.

From Project Gutenberg

What the armor-bearer was for the warlike races of old, such is the tchbukdi for their degenerate descendants.

From Project Gutenberg

There had been a round year of peace negotiations and futile truces, with warlike preparation in the background.

From Project Gutenberg

It was quite expected that his progress would be challenged, hence the warlike preparations.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time, Robert must have heard of Edward's warlike preparations by land and sea.

From Project Gutenberg