war

¹war

noun, often attributive \ˈwȯr\

Definition of WAR

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) : state of war

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 : variance, odds 3

— war·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of WAR

1. They fought a war over the disputed territory.
2. A war broke out when the colonists demanded their independence.
3. We need to resolve our conflicts without resorting to war.
4. People behave differently during a time of war.
5. The taking of American hostages was seen as an act of war by the United States.
6. the budget wars in Washington

Origin of WAR

Middle English werre, from Anglo-French werre, guerre, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German werra strife; akin to Old High German werran to confuse

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to WAR

Synonyms

conflagration, conflict, hostilities, hot war

Antonyms

peace

Related Words

civil war, cold war, holy war, limited war, police action, world war; action, battle, engagement, skirmish; combat, fighting, warfare

Near Antonyms

demilitarization, demobilization, disarmament; pacification; cease-fire, truce; calm, peacefulness, tranquillity (or tranquility)

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with WAR

boar, Boer, bore, chore, cor, core, corps, crore, door, floor, for, fore, four, frore, gore, Gore, hoar, lore, mor, more, nor, o'er, oar, or, ore, poor, pore, pour, roar, score, shore, snore, soar, sore, splore, spoor, spore, store, Thor, tor, torr, whore, yore, your

²war

intransitive verb

warredwar·ring

Definition of WAR

1

: to be in active or vigorous conflict

2

: to engage in warfare

First Known Use of WAR

13th century

³war

adverb or adjective \ˈwär\

Definition of WAR

chiefly Scottish

: worse

Origin of WAR

Middle English werre, from Old Norse verri, adjective, verr, adverb; akin to Old English wiersa worse — more at worse

First Known Use: 13th century

⁴war

transitive verb \ˈwär\

warredwar·ring

Definition of WAR

Scottish

: worst, overcome

First Known Use of WAR

15th century

war

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

State of conflict, generally armed, between two or more entities. It is characterized by intentional violence on the part of large bodies of individuals organized and trained for that purpose. On the national level, some wars are fought internally between rival political factions (civil war); others are fought against an external enemy. Wars have been fought in the name of religion, in self-defense, to acquire territory or resources, and to further the political aims of the aggressor state's leadership.