as in aggression
the opinions or actions of people who believe that a country should use military methods, forces, etc., to gain power and to achieve its goals
The administration has been criticized for the militarism of its foreign policy.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of militarism
Only a few years later, John Dewey came out in support of American intervention against Prussian militarism, imagining that, in a two-birds-one-stone way, the war effort could also promote social reform.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
The archaic society was known for the prowess of its soldiers and its brawny militarism.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025
One frequent topic of discussion in its pages was Germany’s militarism, an original sin that had led the country into the Great War and paved the way for incipient fascism.
—Longreads, 5 Dec. 2024
After it was completely defeated in both world wars, Germany—whose militarism and appetite for authoritarianism were once thought incurable—reemerged as an engine of European integration and democracy.
—Cristina Florea, Foreign Affairs, 10 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for militarism
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
The archaic society was known for the prowess of its soldiers and its brawny militarism.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025
One frequent topic of discussion in its pages was Germany’s militarism, an original sin that had led the country into the Great War and paved the way for incipient fascism.
—Longreads, 5 Dec. 2024
After it was completely defeated in both world wars, Germany—whose militarism and appetite for authoritarianism were once thought incurable—reemerged as an engine of European integration and democracy.
—Cristina Florea, Foreign Affairs, 10 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for militarism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militarism
Noun
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His aggression remains — Meyers is seeing just 3.59 pitches per plate appearance and has absurd numbers against the first pitch of a plate appearance — but has cut down on chasing in the middle of at-bats, allowing for some longer battles.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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Every day of inaction is an act of aggression against the system that protects our elders from poverty and indignity.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Coercing democratic allies such as Canada or Denmark more broadly weakens trust in U.S. alliances; threatening Panama reawakens fears of imperialism throughout Latin America; crippling the U.S. Agency for International Development undercuts the United States’ reputation for benevolence.—
Robert O. Keohane,
Foreign Affairs,
2 June 2025
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While somewhat half-baked, Kong: Skull Island gestures at plenty of crunchy themes, including staunch environmentalism and critiques of American imperialism.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
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India's jingoism and war hysteria should be a source of serious concern for the world.—
Peter Aitken
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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As for the Russian soldiers, their remarks are a mix of jingoism and resignation.—
Ben Kenigsberg,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The look is in stark defiance of a proliferating security mentality in schools to stop active shooters.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
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The Pakistan Crescent Collective made a triumphant return to the Cannes Film Market this week, presenting a powerhouse panel that positioned filmmaking as an act of creative defiance against decades of limiting stereotypes.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Militarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militarism. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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