MILITARISM Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

militarism

noun

Definition of militarism

as in aggression

the opinions or actions of people who believe that a country should use military methods, forces, etc., to gain power and to achieve its goals The administration has been criticized for the militarism of its foreign policy.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of militarism Memories of Imperial Japan’s human rights abuses were still fresh in people’s minds – fueling fears that any such law or intelligence reform could backslide once again to surveillance, militarism and repression. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026 From the other side of the ideological spectrum, anti-Nazis interpreted the tolerant and pacifist spirit of the film as a rebuke to Nazi eugenics and militarism. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026 Germany, Austria, and other countries turn to protectionism, xenophobia, militarism. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 That is using militarism and war as an excuse for people to make profit. — June 1, NPR, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for militarism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for militarism

Noun

At his best, Fries flies off the ball with force and aggression.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
As quotas for immigration arrests increased that spring, he was asked to press felony charges for even minor aggressions against agents.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of aggression

Noun

For Balthaser, these developments bore out some of the Jewish left’s warnings about Zionism as a project of nationalism, imperialism, and ethnic exclusion.

— Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 31 Aug. 2026
National conservatives, for instance, oppose loosening the United States’ ties with Israel and tolerating Chinese and Russian imperialism.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of imperialism

Noun

The salaries match, Strus is an expiring contract while Niko has four years left and the 3-point shooting and the aggressiveness of Max are way better than Niko’s.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
This could bring up feelings of resentment, competitiveness or passive aggressiveness, especially if there’s been something simmering in the background.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of aggressiveness

Noun

But aside from that scene, and some odd red, white and blue sparkler-like fireworks visible in the New York Harbor, which curiously distract from a view of the Statue of Liberty, Soarin’ Across America doesn’t lay on the jingoism.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
This was an era of over-the-top displays of patriotism and even jingoism; the phrase Let’s make America great again was in.

— Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026

Definition of jingoism

Noun

Appointments to Iran’s senior security leadership in the past month, however, have signaled Tehran’s defiance after weathering decades of sanctions.

— David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Even in that moment of defiance, though, he is drawn back toward his actual father.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of defiance

Browse Nearby Words

militants

militarism

militarist

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“Militarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militarism. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of militarism

noun

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