war drum
Military cadence instrument
A war drum is a large drum beaten to signal battle, rally troops, or intimidate enemies.
Historically used by military forces and tribal warriors across cultures, war drums provided rhythm for marching and communicated commands across distances.
The term now often appears figuratively: politicians beat the war drums when they advocate aggressively for military action or stir up conflict.
The administration's war drums grew louder as negotiations failed.
Sound through impact
- timpaniTunable orchestral percussion
- tom-tomSmall cylindrical drum
- djembeHand-struck goblet drum
- taikoJapanese ceremonial drum
tabla · bodhrán · membrane · drumhead · mallet · beater · resonance · wooden
Urgent warning signal
- summonsFormal court notification
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- call to armsUrgent summons to fight
- rally cryPhrase to unite supporters
beacon · announcement · communication · message · clarion · assembly · mobilization · warning
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- pulseArterial blood throb
- throbBeat with intensity
meter · pattern · downbeat · polyrhythm · timekeeping · accent · steady · pounding
Source of potential harm
- fearEmotional response to threat
- threatIndication of potential harm
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
aggression · deterrence · hostility · terror · psychological · ominous · foreboding · daunting
percussion
Sound through impact
taiko · tabla · bodhrán · membrane · drumhead · mallet · beater · resonance · wooden · hide
alarm
Urgent warning signal
- summonsFormal court notification
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- call to armsUrgent summons to fight
rally cry · beacon · announcement · communication · message · clarion · assembly · mobilization · warning · command
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
throb · meter · pattern · downbeat · polyrhythm · timekeeping · accent · steady · pounding · repetition
menace
Source of potential harm
dominance · aggression · deterrence · hostility · terror · psychological · ominous · foreboding · daunting · menacing
ritual
Ceremonial set of actions
tradition · sacred · indigenous · heritage · shaman · spiritual · powwow · ceremony · procession · rite
military
Armed forces collectively
advance · march · infantry · cavalry · siege · skirmish · assault · frontline · rally · morale
- military instrumentbugle, fife, signal whistle, timpani
- Warfare Customsbattle cry, honor code, victory feast, victory celebration, trophy
- patriotic musicnational anthem, patriotic songs, The Star-Spangled Banner, patriotic music, God Save the Queen
- signalssignal, signals, signaling, sign, waved
- war symbolscrossed swords, battle flag, battle standard, military badge, dog tags
- ancient warfarephalanx, army, legion, battle, hoplites
war drumpeace pipe
Ceremonial smoking instrument
olive branch · white flag · dove · peace treaty · peace
war drumpeace symbol
Anti-war movement emblem
dove · olive branch · peace · love · prayer bell
war, drum, wars, warred, warring, warlike, warrior, warriors, warfare