antimilitarist

An antimilitarist speaks at a peaceful public gathering.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who opposes militarism, which is the belief that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to promote national interests. An antimilitarist advocates for reducing military influence and spending, often promoting peace and diplomacy instead.

2. Adjective:

   • Describing someone or something that is opposed to militarism or military values. This can refer to policies, ideologies, or actions that resist the glorification of military power.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She is a committed antimilitarist who protests against defense budget increases. (A person who actively opposes military expansion.)
  • The antimilitarist wrote articles criticizing the arms race. (A writer who argues against military buildup.)

• Adjective:

  • The party adopted an antimilitarist stance in its election manifesto. (A position opposing military influence.)
  • His antimilitarist views led him to support disarmament treaties. (Opinions that reject military solutions.)

Advanced Usage

• "Antimilitarist movement": a collective effort by individuals or groups to resist militarism.

  • The antimilitarist movement gained strength after the war ended. (A social movement opposing military dominance.)

• "Antimilitarist propaganda": materials or messages that spread opposition to militarism.

  • The government suppressed antimilitarist propaganda during the conflict. (Information that criticized military policies.)

Variants and Related Words

• Antimilitarism (n): the ideology or policy of opposing militarism.

  • Antimilitarism is often linked to pacifism. (The principle of rejecting military values.)

• Militarist (n): a person who supports militarism.

  • The militarist argued for increased defense spending, unlike the antimilitarist. (A pro-military advocate.)

Synonyms

• Pacifist: a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable.

  • Both the pacifist and the antimilitarist oppose military action. (Similar in opposition to war, but pacifism is broader.)

• Disarmament advocate: someone who promotes the reduction or elimination of weapons.

  • The antimilitarist worked closely with disarmament advocates. (A person focused on weapon reduction.)

Phrasal Verbs

• No direct phrasal verbs: "Antimilitarist" is a noun/adjective and does not form common phrasal verbs. Use phrases like "to oppose militarism" instead.
  • He continues to oppose militarism in his writings. (To act as an antimilitarist.)

Related Idioms

• Beat swords into plowshares: a biblical idiom meaning to convert military resources to peaceful uses.

  • The antimilitarist's dream is to beat swords into plowshares. (To turn weapons into tools for farming.)

• Turn the other cheek: to refuse to retaliate or use violence.

  • Her antimilitarist beliefs lead her to turn the other cheek. (To respond to aggression without fighting.)