noun
warlord
WAW-lawd
noun
1
A powerful military commander who controls an area through armed force, typically where central government authority is weak or absent.
"Rival warlords carved up the country after the government collapsed."
"The region has been ruled by local warlords for over a decade."
How to Use Warlord
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA local strongman who rules by military force rather than by lawful government.
Common pairings
rival warlords
local warlord
warlord era
Word Forms
warlords plural
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Rival _____ carved up the country after the government collapsed.
Etymology
A direct compound of war and lord.