Warlike describes someone or something that is aggressive, hostile, and ready for conflict. A warlike nation might build up its military forces and threaten its neighbors. A warlike leader might look for reasons to fight rather than seeking peaceful solutions to disagreements.

Throughout history, some civilizations earned reputations as warlike peoples. The ancient Spartans trained for combat from childhood and organized their entire society around military strength. The Vikings launched raids across Europe, and the Mongols under Genghis Khan conquered vast territories through military force.

The word can describe attitudes as well as nations or groups. A warlike tone in someone's voice suggests they're itching for a fight. Warlike policies prioritize military strength over diplomacy. When a government takes a warlike stance, it signals readiness to use force rather than negotiation.

Notice that warlike is different from simply being strong or brave. A nation can have a powerful military for defense without being warlike. The key element is aggression: actively seeking conflict rather than trying to avoid it. A warlike person or nation views fighting as the preferred way to solve problems, not the last resort.