warlord

noun

war·​lord ˈwȯr-ˌlȯrd How to pronounce warlord (audio)
Synonyms of warlordnext
1
: a supreme military leader
2
: a military commander exercising civil power by force usually in a limited area
warlordism
ˈwȯr-ˌlȯr-ˌdi-zəm How to pronounce warlord (audio)
noun

Examples of warlord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The attacks come as tensions are rising between the government of western Libya and warlord Mohamed Bahroun, who controls the city of Zawiya. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 To drive home his point, Niccolò gifts Medici a manuscript based on his years of keeping counsel with warlords and royals. — Charles Lewis Iii, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 The wise and formidable warlord Murashige Araki (Masahiro Motoki), a former ally of Oda’s, has made the shocking, seemingly suicidal decision to turn against him. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 Will a pregnant Marjan, named after the lion statue guarding the entrance of the Kabul zoo, survive after escaping her warlord husband? — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for warlord

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of warlord was in 1856

Rhymes for warlord

See All Rhymes for warlord

Browse Nearby Words

warlockry
warlord
warlordism
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Cite this Entry

“Warlord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warlord. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

warlord

noun
war·​lord ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌlȯ(ə)rd How to pronounce warlord (audio)
1
: an important military leader
2
: a military leader who governs an area by force

More from Merriam-Webster on warlord

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for warlord

Nglish: Translation of warlord for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about warlord

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