warpath

[ wawr-path, -pahth ]

noun

, plural war·paths [wawr, -pa, th, z, -pah, th, z, -paths, -pahths].

1. especially historically, the path or course taken by Native Americans on a warlike expedition.

warpath

/ ˈwɔːˌpɑːθ /

noun

1. the route taken by North American Indians on a warlike expedition
2. on the warpath
   on the warpath
   1. preparing to engage in battle
   2. in a state of anger

Sensitive Note

See powwow.

Word History and Origins

Origin of warpath¹

An Americanism dating back to 1745–55; war ¹ + path

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the warpath, Often Offensive.
   1. seeking, preparing for, or engaged in war or aggressive pursuit.
   2. in a state of anger or indignation; hostile.

More idioms and phrases containing warpath

see on the warpath .

Example Sentences

At that time, the Mongolian conqueror Genghis Khan was leading his army on a warpath across Asia.

From Fortune

The Oklahoma Kiowa have joined this warpath; the Yellowstone is their ancestral homeland.

From The Daily Beast

The public criticism enraged Ramsey, who, according to one current employee, went on a “warpath” to expose the Twitter critics.

From The Daily Beast

And Bishop, Colossus, Warpath, Blink, Sunspot, Quiksilver, Stryker and Havoc will all be there too.

From The Daily Beast

In London to promote Walesa: Man of Hope, a new biopic, he was on the warpath.

From The Daily Beast

Now, scores of stars, including the actress Sienna Miller and the interior designer Kelly Hoppen, are on the warpath.

From The Daily Beast

They had once been very powerful, and could still bring four or five thousand braves to the warpath.

From Project Gutenberg

The Sioux went on the warpath immediately and brought home forty or fifty Chippewa scalps.

From Project Gutenberg

The tuft of feathers fastened to his “top-knot” and the paint on his face indicated that he was on the warpath.

From Project Gutenberg

The warriors need a wise and experienced chief to lead them on the warpath, and instruct them round the council fire.

From Project Gutenberg

I intend that you and I shall go off somewhere on the warpath.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aggression
• animosity
• antagonism
• antipathy
• bitterness
• enmity
• estrangement
• hatred
• ill will
• opposition
• rancor
• resentment
• war