kriegerischer

Kriegerischer is a German adjective meaning warlike or bellicose. It is the inflected attributive form of kriegerisch used with masculine singular nouns in certain cases, for example ein kriegerischer Akt or ein kriegerischer Ton.

Etymology and inflection notes: kriegerisch derives from Krieger (warrior) with the suffix -isch, forming the base adjective meaning warlike. The ending -erischer appears when the adjective combines with a masculine singular noun without a definite article or under some case configurations. With a definite article, the form usually becomes der kriegerische Ton (the warlike tone). The corresponding forms for other genders or numbers follow standard German adjective declension patterns.

Usage and nuance: Kriegerischer describes attitudes, rhetoric, or actions that imply aggression, readiness for conflict, or a bellicose stance. It is commonly used in political or historical commentary to characterize states, leaders, or discourse as inclined toward war or martial measures. While primarily descriptive, the term can carry a negative or critical connotation depending on context.

Examples of usage: a kriegerischer Akt (a warlike act), eine kriegerische Rhetorik (a bellicose rhetoric), kriegerische Absichten (militaristic intentions). Related terms include kriegerisch (the base adjective), aggressiv, militaristisch, and bellicose in broader discourse.

See also: German adjective declension, kriegerisch, bellicose in political terminology.