war of words
noun phrase
: an argument in which people or groups criticize and disagree with each other publicly and repeatedly for usually a long time
Rival groups have engaged in a war of words over the new law.
Examples of war of words in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The film follows her professional and personal life during the media and political firestorm from 2016 to today and the aftermath of her war of words and attorneys with Trump.
—
Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
In any case, the war of words reflects the high electoral stakes surrounding the issue.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2024
In the intense war of words over the Israel-Gaza war, a particular phrase has popped up repeatedly.
—Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2024
In a teaser video — shared on Wednesday (Oct 18) — playing on the fact that the Latin music sensation is set to play double duty this weekend as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live, Benito goes head to his head with his own clone in a hilarious war of words.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Oct. 2023
The video is an escalation in the public war of words between Disney and Trian.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024
It’s been a war of words leading up to the tally — read what Nelson has been saying.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Conservative firebrand Candace Owens has left the news outlet The Daily Wire after a war of words with the founder of the news brand, fellow far-right figure Ben Shapiro, which began shortly after the outset of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2024
A couple of years ago, Residente engaged in a war of words with J Balvin.
—Gary Suarez, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2024
Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
In any case, the war of words reflects the high electoral stakes surrounding the issue.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2024
In the intense war of words over the Israel-Gaza war, a particular phrase has popped up repeatedly.
—Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2024
In a teaser video — shared on Wednesday (Oct 18) — playing on the fact that the Latin music sensation is set to play double duty this weekend as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live, Benito goes head to his head with his own clone in a hilarious war of words.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Oct. 2023
The video is an escalation in the public war of words between Disney and Trian.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024
It’s been a war of words leading up to the tally — read what Nelson has been saying.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Conservative firebrand Candace Owens has left the news outlet The Daily Wire after a war of words with the founder of the news brand, fellow far-right figure Ben Shapiro, which began shortly after the outset of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2024
A couple of years ago, Residente engaged in a war of words with J Balvin.
—Gary Suarez, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'war of words.' 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 of words
Cite this Entry
“War of words.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war%20of%20words. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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