The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ATTACKING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
T
T
A
C
K
I
N
G
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "on the warpath" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case on the warpath = attacking.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ATTACKING mean?
ATTACKING verb- To apply violent force to someone or something.
- To aggressively challenge a person, idea, etc., with words (particularly in newspaper headlines, because it typesets into less space than "criticize" or similar).
- To begin to affect; to act upon injuriously or destructively; to begin to decompose or waste.
- To deal with something in a direct way; to set to work upon.
- To aim balls at the batsman’s wicket.
- To set a field, or bowl in a manner designed to get wickets.
- To bat aggressively, so as to score runs quickly.
- To move forward in an active attempt to score a point, as opposed to trying not to concede.
- To accelerate quickly in an attempt to get ahead of the other riders.
- Carrying out an attack.