militarism

noun

mil·​i·​ta·​rism ˈmi-lə-tə-ˌri-zəm 

1

a

: predominance of the military class or its ideals

b

: exaltation of military virtues and ideals

2

: a policy of aggressive military preparedness

militarist

ˈmi-lə-tə-rist 

noun or adjective

militaristic

ˌmi-lə-tə-ˈri-stik 

adjective

militaristically

ˌmi-lə-tə-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of militarism in a Sentence

The administration has been criticized for the militarism of its foreign policy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Which, in turn, speaks to themes about post-WWII Japan and the Cold War, weapons of mass destruction, and Japan’s specific position and culture regarding militarism, weapons, the Cold War, and Japan’s uniquely evolved and radically shifted perspective and position on the world stage. —Mark Hughes, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Obama first distinguished himself as an opponent of US militarism in the Middle East but will be remembered for expanding the US drone war, the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, and helping to overthrow the government of Libya. —Joshua Keating, Vox, 6 Sep. 2024

Kennedy’s foreign policy positions offer a compelling alternative to the entrenched militarism that has dominated U.S. politics for decades. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2024

Other modern political issues are mirrored by ye olde timey problems — the corruption of organized religion, unchecked militarism, the absurd failures of the health care system — and the plague itself is an obvious stand-in for Covid. —Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing militarism

• anti-militarism

Kids Definition

militarism

noun

mil·​i·​ta·​rism ˈmil-ə-tə-ˌriz-əm 

1

: control or rule by a military class

2

: extreme admiration and praise of military virtues and ideals

3

: a policy of aggressive military readiness

militarist

-rəst 

noun

militaristic

ˌmil-ə-tə-ˈris-tik 

adjective