war whoop
Charging into battle
A war whoop is a loud, shrill cry traditionally associated with Native American warriors in battle or preparation for combat.
The term now applies more broadly to any aggressive or triumphant yell: The kids let out war whoops as they charged into the pool.
The expression carries dated, stereotypical associations with Western frontier imagery.
Extremely frightening or horrifying
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- terrifyingEvoking extreme fear
- fearsomeCausing intense alarm
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
terror · alarm · panic · unnerving · startling · chilling · spine-tingling · hair-raising
Repetitive rhythmic phrase
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- tribeSocial group sharing ancestry
- powwowCeremonial tribal gathering
drums · dance · ancestors · heritage · tradition · elders · warriors · Lakota
Cost or accusation
- assaultViolent offensive act
- attackAggressive act against another
- advanceMove or progress forward
- rallyGathering for a cause
onslaught · clash · skirmish · combat · siege · volley · offensive · engagement
Fierce and untamed
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
- primalFirst in origin
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
- ferociousExtremely violent or aggressive
frenzied · raging · thunderous · roaring · aggressive · vehement · explosive · unbridled
Group emotional well-being
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- solidarityUnity among allies
- camaraderieGoodwill among companions
spirit · motivation · energize · galvanize · rousing · inspiration · mobilization · courage
bloodcurdling
Extremely frightening or horrifying
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- terrifyingEvoking extreme fear
- fearsomeCausing intense alarm
dread · terror · alarm · panic · unnerving · startling · chilling · spine-tingling · hair-raising · threatening
chant
Repetitive rhythmic phrase
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- tribeSocial group sharing ancestry
powwow · drums · dance · ancestors · heritage · tradition · elders · warriors · Lakota · Apache
charge
Cost or accusation
rally · onslaught · clash · skirmish · combat · siege · volley · offensive · engagement · warriors
savage
Fierce and untamed
ferocious · frenzied · raging · thunderous · roaring · aggressive · vehement · explosive · unbridled · raw
morale
Group emotional well-being
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- solidarityUnity among allies
camaraderie · spirit · motivation · energize · galvanize · rousing · inspiration · mobilization · courage · bravery
- battle criesbattle cry, charge, hooah, banzai, oorah