militarism

[ mil-i-tuh-riz-uhm ]

/ ˈmɪl ɪ təˌrɪz əm /

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noun

a strong military spirit or policy.

the principle or policy of maintaining a large military establishment.

the tendency to regard military efficiency as the supreme ideal of the state and to subordinate all other interests to those of the military.

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Origin of militarism

1860–65; <French militarisme, equivalent to militar- (<Latin mīlitār(is) military) + -isme-ism

OTHER WORDS FROM militarism

an·ti·mil·i·ta·rism, nounpro·mil·i·ta·rism, adjective

Words nearby militarism

milit., militancy, militant, Militant Tendency, militaria, militarism, militarist, militarize, military, military academy, military attaché

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use militarism in a sentence

What most liberals are passionate about is one thing: opposition to U.S. militarism.
When Liberals Enable Tyrants|Michael Tomasky|September 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Was the ‘Great War’ a necessary fight against German militarism, or was it completely avoidable?
The Utterly Pointless First World War|Michael F. Bishop|May 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Prussian militarism was unlovely, to be sure, but the Kaiser was no Führer.
The Utterly Pointless First World War|Michael F. Bishop|May 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But most recent histories depict it as a necessary fight against German militarism.
The Utterly Pointless First World War|Michael F. Bishop|May 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Even more important, we need to pay attention to the emergence of militarism among some military officers.
China’s Risky Path, From Revolution to War|Cheng Li|January 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Militarism did not crush them with its weight of lead and steel and its terrible waste of productive energy.
The Scandinavian Element in the United States|Kendric Charles Babcock
Militarism in the sense of courage, patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty is a splendid thing.
Secret Societies And Subversive Movements|Nesta H. Webster
Moreover, Germany as the home of militarism offers a wide field for Jewish speculation.
Secret Societies And Subversive Movements|Nesta H. Webster
We went to war against German militarism, and to make the world safe for democracy—meaning thereby capitalist commercialism.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society|Upton Sinclair
"German militarism," the reply that springs to the lips, is no more a threat to civilisation than French or Russian militarism.
The Crime Against Europe|Roger Casement

British Dictionary definitions for militarism

militarism

/ (ˈmɪlɪtəˌrɪzəm) /

noun

military spirit; pursuit of military ideals

domination by the military in the formulation of policies, ideals, etc, esp on a political level

a policy of maintaining a strong military organization in aggressive preparedness for war

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012