Word
warlike
Phoneticswar·like, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɔɹˌɫaɪk/
UK/wˈɔːlaɪk/
Definition
adj. liking war or fighting, or looking ready to fight.
adj. disposed toward war or armed conflict; aggressive or belligerent in character or appearance. Often describes nations, groups, or behaviour rather than individuals in modern use.
Examples
“They avoid his warlike mood during games.”
“The two neighbours exchanged warlike threats after the fence dispute turned angry.”
“Historians still debate whether the empire's warlike expansion reflected genuine security fears or simply the ambitions of its generals.”
Examples
simple
“They avoid his warlike mood during games.”
contextual
“The two neighbours exchanged warlike threats after the fence dispute turned angry.”
complex
“Historians still debate whether the empire's warlike expansion reflected genuine security fears or simply the ambitions of its generals.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “warlike” in context.
Verb
01. adopt warlike
“The nation began to adopt a warlike stance following the breakdown of peace talks.”
verb + adj
02. sound warlike
“His recent speeches sound warlike, causing concern among neighboring countries.”
verb + adj
03. warlike appear
“The fleet's warlike appearance was intended to intimidate the enemy.”
adj + verb
Adjective
04. distinctly warlike
“The tribe was known for its distinctly warlike culture and advanced weaponry.”
adv + adj
05. increasingly warlike
“The dictator's rhetoric became increasingly warlike as the border dispute escalated.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. warlike gesture
“The deployment of troops was seen as a warlike gesture by the international community.”
adj + noun
07. warlike rhetoric
“The government was criticized for its warlike rhetoric during the election campaign.”
adj + noun
08. warlike tribe
“Historians described them as a warlike tribe that conquered much of the region.”
adj + noun
09. assume a warlike posture
“The military began to assume a warlike posture along the disputed frontier.”
10. make warlike noises
“Both sides are making warlike noises, though neither wants an actual conflict.”
Real-World Examples
“Cho’s team said in a statement Friday that Yoon tried to create a warlike situation between the Koreas while plotting an authoritarian push to remove his political opponents and “monopolize and extend his power.” Etymology
From war + -like. Compare the older warly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/warlike