Warmakers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Entities or individuals that actively instigate warfare and promote conflict are commonly recognized as agents of discord and violence
2. Those who provoke or facilitate situations leading to military actions and strife can be termed as instigators of war and turmoil
3. Individuals or groups who encourage or perpetuate armed conflict are often seen as architects of hostility and aggression

Etymology: "Warmakers" is simply the plural of "warmaker," a compound of the familiar words "war" and "maker." The pairing is transparent: a warmaker is one who makes war, the same way a shoemaker makes shoes or a peacemaker makes peace. The second element, "maker," comes from the Old English "macere," a word for one who shapes or produces something, and it has long been used to form agent nouns for people who carry out a given activity. The first element, "war," entered English from Old French "guerre," which came from a Germanic source related to the idea of confusion or strife. The compound itself is built from these two parts in a direct, unremarkable way, so its meaning can be read straight from its pieces. The word's interest lies less in any surprise of meaning than in the ordinary productivity of English compounding, which lets speakers coin a noun for almost any role that can be described with a verb.

Synonyms: warriors, combatants, fighters, soldiers, belligerents

Antonyms: peacemakers, negotiators, diplomats, mediators, reconcilers