war drums
Martial rhythm instruments
War drums are drums beaten to signal battle, rally troops, or intimidate enemies—historically used across cultures to coordinate military movements and boost morale.
The phrase now typically appears figuratively: politicians beating the war drums are pushing for military action or stirring up conflict.
The war drums are getting louder suggests armed conflict is increasingly likely.
- drummingsRepeated striking sounds
- poundingForceful repeated striking
- battle cryShout to rally fighters
- drumlineMarching band percussionists
- marching bandMobile musical ensemble
taiko · beat · boom · battle hymns · timpani · djembes · signal · ritual drumming · combat · rallying cry · foreboding · gathering storm · battlefield · call to arms · battle stations · intimidation · tribal chants · ancient ritual
- percussion historyjazz drumming, African drumming, drum corps, kettledrums
- drumsbass drum, bongo, tambourine, snare, snare drum
- signalingsmoke signals, signal fires, signal flags, signal lamps, signal towers
- East Asian Warfarebattles, warriors, soldiers, generals, infantry formations
- Warfare Customsbattle cry, honor code, victory feast, victory celebration, trophy
- warmongeringwarmongers, jingoism, saber-rattling, belligerence, militarism
war drumswhite flag
Signal of capitulation
olive branch · dove · peace pipe · ceasefire · peace offering
war drumsdisarmament
Reducing or eliminating weapons
de-escalation · stand-down · truce · rapprochement · demobilization
war drumschurch bells
Bronze instruments in steeples
birdsong · lullaby · wedding bells · wind chimes · harp music
war, warrior, warfare, wars, drums, drummer, warring, drumstick, wartime