warlike
Ready for conflict
Warlike describes a readiness or eagerness for war.
A warlike nation maintains powerful armies and uses them readily.
Warlike rhetoric threatens military action.
The word can also describe martial appearance or manner: The protesters advanced with warlike determination.
Unlike bellicose, warlike doesn't necessarily imply aggression—a warlike people may simply be prepared for conflict.
Inclined toward aggression
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
contentious · quarrelsome · argumentative · disputatious · provocative · adversarial · irascible · cantankerous
Inclined to quarrel
- truculentAggressively hostile disposition
- ferociousExtremely violent or aggressive
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
- violentInvolving physical force
threatening · intimidating · forceful · domineering · bullying · savage · brutal · ruthless
Favoring aggressive action
- jingoisticExcessively nationalistic, pro-war
- expansionistFavoring territorial growth
- imperialistAdvocate for territorial expansion
- saber-rattlingThreatening show of military might
interventionist · nationalist · militant · martial · aggressive · conquering · invading · annexing
Armed forces collectively
- soldierlyLike one who serves
- armyOrganized land-based military
- troopsMilitary personnel collectively
- soldiersMilitary personnel who fight
infantry · cavalry · artillery · tactics · strategy · battlefield · campaign · regiment
Forcible entry into territory
- assaultViolent offensive act
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- raidSudden armed incursion
- plunderGoods seized violently
pillage · subjugation · conquest · bombardment · barrage · onslaught · incursion · aggression
bellicose
Inclined toward aggression
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
confrontational · contentious · quarrelsome · argumentative · disputatious · provocative · adversarial · irascible · cantankerous · scrappy
pugnacious
Inclined to quarrel
- truculentAggressively hostile disposition
- ferociousExtremely violent or aggressive
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
violent · threatening · intimidating · forceful · domineering · bullying · savage · brutal · ruthless · merciless
hawkish
Favoring aggressive action
- jingoisticExcessively nationalistic, pro-war
- expansionistFavoring territorial growth
- imperialistAdvocate for territorial expansion
saber-rattling · interventionist · nationalist · militant · martial · aggressive · conquering · invading · annexing · militarist
military
Armed forces collectively
soldiers · infantry · cavalry · artillery · tactics · strategy · battlefield · campaign · regiment · battalion
invasion
Forcible entry into territory
- assaultViolent offensive act
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- raidSudden armed incursion
plunder · pillage · subjugation · conquest · bombardment · barrage · onslaught · incursion · aggression · encroachment
warlikepeaceful
Free from disturbance
peaceable · pacific · nonbelligerent · conciliatory · unwarlike
warlikepacifist
Anti-violence believer
antimilitarist · pacifistic · antiwar · demilitarized · anti-war