state of war
noun phrase
1
a
: a state of actual armed hostilities regardless of a formal declaration of war
b
: a legal state created and ended by official declaration regardless of actual armed hostilities and usually characterized by operation of the rules of war
2
: the period of time during which a state of war is in effect
Examples of state of war in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2025, the IDF recorded an increase of approximately 27% in anti-Palestinian crimes.
Governor of Binyamin and Chairman of the Yesha Council Yisrael Ganz told Fox News Digital that Judea and Samaria has been in a state of war since Oct. 7.
—
Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Although an armistice ended Korean War hostilities in 1953, no peace treaty was signed, making the two countries technically remain in a state of war.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
In states of war and other political conflicts, nation-states and their hacktivist allies often target those on the opposing side.
—Carlos Morales, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
As Ukrainians contemplate living in a state of war for years to come, their capacity to fight will depend even more on their ability to defend and strengthen the complex social and political bonds that have kept them and their government united.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war.
—Shoon Naing, USA Today, 25 July 2025
But a formal peace treaty was never signed, leaving the two Koreas technically in a state of war.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 18 June 2024
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Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Although an armistice ended Korean War hostilities in 1953, no peace treaty was signed, making the two countries technically remain in a state of war.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
In states of war and other political conflicts, nation-states and their hacktivist allies often target those on the opposing side.
—Carlos Morales, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
As Ukrainians contemplate living in a state of war for years to come, their capacity to fight will depend even more on their ability to defend and strengthen the complex social and political bonds that have kept them and their government united.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war.
—Shoon Naing, USA Today, 25 July 2025
But a formal peace treaty was never signed, leaving the two Koreas technically in a state of war.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 18 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“State of war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state%20of%20war. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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