warlord

noun

war·​lord ˈwȯr-ˌlȯrd How to pronounce warlord (audio)
1
: a supreme military leader
2
: a military commander exercising civil power by force usually in a limited area
warlordism 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.
In 1900, no one serving in the late Qing dynasty expected that in 20 years the country would be a republic feuded over by warlords. Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 In Libya, dictators rule in Tripoli and Benghazi, with multiple regional warlords in the background. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025 The resulting power vacuum was filled by rival warlords who battled for control, while gangs of bandits roamed the land. Chris Power, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 The group were among around 7,000 people recently released from scam centers run by criminal gangs and warlords operating along Myanmar’s border with Thailand, where many are held against their will and forced to work conning ordinary people, including American citizens, out of their life savings. Teele Rebane, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Warlord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warlord. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

warlord

noun
1
: an important military leader
2
: a military leader who governs an area by force

More from Merriam-Webster on warlord

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