warlike

American  

[wawr-lahyk] / ˈwɔrˌlaɪk /

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.

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warlike British  

/ ˈwɔːˌlaɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or used in war

2. hostile or belligerent

3. fit or ready for war

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Other Word Forms

• unwarlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of warlike

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

Example Sentences

The changes will also lower the threshold for reservists to be recalled so that reservists can be recalled for "warlike preparations".

From Barron's

That threshold will be lowered to "warlike preparations", which is already the threshold for reservists who have left active service in the past few years.

From BBC

The book’s poetic language offers a stark contrast to the warlike terms climate advocates tend to use to describe carbon.

From Salon

This must be a very warlike planet indeed.

From Literature

But, come to think of it, the owl, who was not civilized, was pretty warlike too.

From Literature