warlord

[ wawr-lawrd ]

noun

1. a military leader, especially of a warlike nation.
2. a military commander who has seized power, especially in one section of a country.
3. tuchun.

warlord

/ ˈwɔːˌlɔːd /

noun

1. a military leader of a nation or part of a nation, esp one who is accountable to nobody when the central government is weak

   the Chinese warlords

Other Words From

• warlordism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of warlord¹

First recorded in 1855–60; war ¹ + lord

Example Sentences

Transactional politics imply cutting deals with coup leaders and warlords whose crimes are their credentials.

From BBC

The country has been divided by power struggles and currently has two governments - a UN-recognised one based in Tripoli, and another in the country's east backed by warlord Gen Khalifa Haftar.

From BBC

Instead, it brings the 17th century society vividly to life through a historically accurate spoken and visual language, which includes thousands of costumes for warlords, armies, peasants, courtesans and a bunch of shipwrecked European sailors.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Prigozhin, a caterer turned warlord who grew rich on state contracts, was an unlikely messenger.

From New York Times

The Americans empowered warlords, corrupt politicians and outright criminals in the name of military expediency.

From New York Times

Related Words

• assailant
• boxer
• champion
• combatant
• mercenary
• militant
• opponent
• soldier
• tanker
• warrior