show of force
Flexing military muscle
A show of force is a demonstration of military or physical power intended to intimidate or deter without actual combat.
Nations conduct shows of force by deploying troops or warships near contested areas.
The term extends to any display meant to signal strength: Police made a show of force at the protest.
The goal is to achieve compliance through implied threat rather than violence.
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- saber-rattlingThreatening show of military might
- gunboat diplomacyPersuasion through naval presence
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
- warningAlert about danger
prevention · dissuasion · coercion · brinkmanship · ultimatum · standoff · blockade · no-fly zone
Act that triggers response
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- menaceSource of potential harm
belligerence · confrontation · pressure · tension · standoff · saber-rattling · warning shot · calculated risk
Ceremonial armed forces procession
- flyoverElevated road crossing
- naval exerciseMaritime military drill
- troop deploymentStationing soldiers operationally
- armadaFleet of warships
warships · jets · tanks · missiles · artillery · maneuvers · drills · formation
Dominant group's control
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- assertionConfident statement of fact
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
preeminence · ascendancy · sphere of influence · superpower · great power · regional power · strategic advantage
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- saber-rattlingThreatening show of military might
- gunboat diplomacyPersuasion through naval presence
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
warning · prevention · dissuasion · coercion · brinkmanship · ultimatum · standoff · blockade · no-fly zone · red line
provocation
Act that triggers response
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
menace · belligerence · confrontation · pressure · tension · standoff · saber-rattling · warning shot · calculated risk · brinksmanship
military parade
Ceremonial armed forces procession
- flyoverElevated road crossing
- naval exerciseMaritime military drill
- troop deploymentStationing soldiers operationally
armada · warships · jets · tanks · missiles · artillery · maneuvers · drills · formation · march
hegemony
Dominant group's control
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- assertionConfident statement of fact
sovereignty · preeminence · ascendancy · sphere of influence · superpower · great power · regional power · strategic advantage
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- military posturingsaber rattling, posturing, brinkmanship, brinksmanship, military buildup
- powerauthority, electric power, nuclear power, solar power, wind power
- Military Powerarmy, navy, marines, troops, generals
- warfarebattle, combat, attack, war, armed conflict
- naval warfarenaval battles, naval battle, battleship, destroyer, sea battles
show of forcestand down
Withdraw from readiness
withdrawal · retreat · demobilization · de-escalation · disarmament
show of forcemilitary engagement
Armed forces fighting
armed conflict · hot war · use of force · shooting war · boots on the ground
show of forcepeace offering
Gesture to end conflict
olive branch · gesture of goodwill · de-escalation · soft power · peace initiative
show, force, forced, showing, showy, forceful, enforce, forces, showcase