blitzkrieg

noun

blitz·​krieg ˈblits-ˌkrēg How to pronounce blitzkrieg (audio)
1
: war conducted with great speed and force
specifically : a violent surprise offensive by massed air forces and mechanized ground forces in close coordination
2
blitzkrieg transitive verb

Examples of blitzkrieg in a Sentence

the stunned survivors of the crash were then confronted with a blitzkrieg of insensitive questions from the media the war began with a blitzkrieg that was designed to shock the enemy into submission
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The international media blitzkrieg? Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025 While Indiana likely remains a Trump-supporting stronghold, the president’s blitzkrieg of disruptive actions at the start of his second term raises questions about whether everyone who marked red on their ballot last November is standing by that decision today. Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025 Soon after becoming commander in chief, Xi initiated a risky blitzkrieg against the military chieftains who had turned the PLA into a near state within a state. Jonathan A. Czin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2025 Many people might be wondering the same thing about the timing of your new book, which arrives eight months into the blitzkrieg of Donald Trump’s radical and seemingly lawless second term. Ash Carter, Air Mail, 9 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blitzkrieg

Word History

Etymology

German, from Blitz lightning + Krieg war

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blitzkrieg was in 1937

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Cite this Entry

“Blitzkrieg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blitzkrieg. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

blitzkrieg

noun
blitz·​krieg ˈblits-ˌkrēg How to pronounce blitzkrieg (audio)
: a sudden violent enemy attack
blitzkrieg verb
Etymology

German, literally, "lightning war"

More from Merriam-Webster on blitzkrieg

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