casus belli

noun

plural casus belli
: an event or action that justifies or allegedly justifies a war or conflict

Examples of casus belli in a Sentence

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.
That is the nature of this latest Israeli casus belli too. Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 But what Putin can live with today may become a casus belli tomorrow. George Beebe, TIME, 1 July 2024 Baghdad also awkwardly cited the PKK’s presence in Kirkuk as casus belli for conflict, securing Ankara’s support for the operation. Behnam Ben Taleblu, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2017 Debate over this proposal has so far been scant and ignored the casus belli. Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for casus belli

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, occasion of war

First Known Use

circa 1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of casus belli was circa 1841

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Cite this Entry

“Casus belli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/casus%20belli. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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