warlike

adjective war·like \ˈwȯr-ˌlīk\

: liking or tending to fight in wars or to start wars

: showing or suggesting that a country, group, etc., is ready or eager to fight a war

: of, relating to, or useful in war

Full Definition of WARLIKE

obsolete : ready for war : equipped to fight

: fit for, disposed to, or fond of war : bellicose <a warlike people>

: of, relating to, or useful in war <warlike preparations>

: befitting or characteristic of war or a soldier <warlike cries>

See warlike defined for English-language learners

See warlike defined for kids

15th century

Synonyms: aggressive, agonistic, argumentative, assaultive, bellicose, brawly, chippy, combative, confrontational, contentious, discordant, disputatious, feisty, gladiatorial, militant, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, belligerent

Antonyms: nonaggressive, nonbelligerent, pacific, peaceable, peaceful, unbelligerent, uncombative, uncontentious

WARLIKE Defined for Kids

adjective war·like \ˈwȯr-ˌlīk\

: fond of war <warlike people>

: fit for or characteristic of war <warlike aggression>

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