1. a military commander who controls a region by force, especially one who is not part of an official government

Examples

• The warlord controlled several provinces through his private army.
• Local warlords fought for territory after the government collapsed.
• The peace treaty was signed by representatives of various warlords.
• International forces worked to disarm the regional warlords.
• The warlord’s fortress dominated the mountain pass.
• Civilians fled the area controlled by the brutal warlord.