often attributive
1
a(1)
: a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations
(2)
: a period of such armed conflict
(3)
b
: the art or science of warfare
c(1)
obsolete
: weapons and equipment for war
(2)
archaic
: soldiers armed and equipped for war
2
a
: a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism
b
: a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end
a class war
a war against disease
c
warred; warring
Synonyms
Examples of war in a Sentence
Noun
They fought a war over the disputed territory.
A war broke out when the colonists demanded their independence.
We need to resolve our conflicts without resorting to war.
People behave differently during a time of war.
The taking of American hostages was seen as an act of war by the United States.
the budget wars in Washington
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
The project, first revealed in January, was the subject of a heated bidding war in the winter, with Warners coming out on top, thanks to a unique deal that will see some of the movie’s rights reverting to the filmmaker over the course of several decades.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
This growing chasm between U.S. and Israeli perceptions of the war illustrates the waning influence of the United States in the region.
—Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
The United Nations Children's Fund reported on March 26 that more than 13,000 children have died in the Gaza Strip since start of the war.
—Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
Since then, the two countries have ramped up their economic, trade and diplomatic relations – including in the wake of Putin’s war in Ukraine.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
In Israel, the country’s war cabinet is scheduled to meet Tuesday, reportedly to discuss the latest round of talks.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
The protagonist of Civil War is Lee (Kirsten Dunst), a seasoned war photographer named for the pioneering World War II journalist Lee Miller.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2024
According to Variety, Apple took on the film after securing a $100 million deal following a bidding war in 2022.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024
Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
Countless civilians are caught in the crossfire: Artillery bombardments and airstrikes pounded urban areas, while warring militias pursued tribal vendettas and carried out hideous ethnic massacres.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
New Virginia Majority community organizer Javon Bennett said fights between warring groups in the neighborhoods had escalated to the point of shootings every day, and kids were caught in the crossfire as stray bullets shattered car windows and pelted storefronts.
—Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
The remains of the Russians can be exchanged for the remains of Ukrainian soldiers who have been killed — one of the rare issues the warring armies still collaborate on.
—Tyler Hicks Marc Santora, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
The warring sides have failed to reach agreement on a deal to halt the fighting at least temporarily, and Israel is not optimistic about achieving much progress in these talks, which are expected to last at least two weeks, the Times of Israel reported.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
This effort can be a countercultural activity in a time when demagogues pray on people’s fears and divide the country into warring tribes.
—Lachlan Cartwright, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024
The conflict, now the deadliest between the warring sides since Israel's founding in 1948, shows no signs of letting up soon and the brief cease-fire that allowed for over 100 hostages to be freed from Gaza remains a distant memory.
—Abc News, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2024
However, unlike Sheridan's other shows, the theme isn't centered around modern-day cowboys or ranch hands — though wide open spaces and businessmen warring with politicians certainly play a part.
—Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
Noun
As in Vietnam, Korea endured a proxy war between the U.S. and the USSR.
—Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
The project, first revealed in January, was the subject of a heated bidding war in the winter, with Warners coming out on top, thanks to a unique deal that will see some of the movie’s rights reverting to the filmmaker over the course of several decades.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
This growing chasm between U.S. and Israeli perceptions of the war illustrates the waning influence of the United States in the region.
—Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
The United Nations Children's Fund reported on March 26 that more than 13,000 children have died in the Gaza Strip since start of the war.
—Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
Since then, the two countries have ramped up their economic, trade and diplomatic relations – including in the wake of Putin’s war in Ukraine.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
In Israel, the country’s war cabinet is scheduled to meet Tuesday, reportedly to discuss the latest round of talks.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
The protagonist of Civil War is Lee (Kirsten Dunst), a seasoned war photographer named for the pioneering World War II journalist Lee Miller.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2024
According to Variety, Apple took on the film after securing a $100 million deal following a bidding war in 2022.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024
Verb
The eclipse that surprised the warring Medes and Lydians into peace may not have been a surprise to all; it is said to have been predicted by Thales of Miletus.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
Countless civilians are caught in the crossfire: Artillery bombardments and airstrikes pounded urban areas, while warring militias pursued tribal vendettas and carried out hideous ethnic massacres.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
New Virginia Majority community organizer Javon Bennett said fights between warring groups in the neighborhoods had escalated to the point of shootings every day, and kids were caught in the crossfire as stray bullets shattered car windows and pelted storefronts.
—Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
The remains of the Russians can be exchanged for the remains of Ukrainian soldiers who have been killed — one of the rare issues the warring armies still collaborate on.
—Tyler Hicks Marc Santora, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
The warring sides have failed to reach agreement on a deal to halt the fighting at least temporarily, and Israel is not optimistic about achieving much progress in these talks, which are expected to last at least two weeks, the Times of Israel reported.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
This effort can be a countercultural activity in a time when demagogues pray on people’s fears and divide the country into warring tribes.
—Lachlan Cartwright, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024
The conflict, now the deadliest between the warring sides since Israel's founding in 1948, shows no signs of letting up soon and the brief cease-fire that allowed for over 100 hostages to be freed from Gaza remains a distant memory.
—Abc News, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2024
However, unlike Sheridan's other shows, the theme isn't centered around modern-day cowboys or ranch hands — though wide open spaces and businessmen warring with politicians certainly play a part.
—Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'war.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near war
Cite this Entry
“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
war
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a state or period of armed hostile conflict between states, nations, or groups
b
: the science of warfare
2
a
: a state of hostility, antagonism, or conflict
b
: a struggle between opposing forces or for a particular goal
a war on disease
war
2 of 2 verb
warred; warring
1
: to engage in warfare
warring nations
2
: to be in conflict
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