as in makeup
preparations intended to beautify the face
when I was young, I loved to watch Mom put on her war paint before a fancy evening out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of war paint
This is my war paint.
—
Kelly Boutsalis, refinery29.com, 22 June 2021
My father used to call it war paint.
—Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Apr. 2021
On stage, drag artist Aphrodite Banks is a femme fatale: Caked in war paint, with a waterfall of braids whipping around her waist, she’s possessed of the white-hot glare and forthright confidence to match her Amazonian height and bearing.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Feb. 2023
Upon applying war paint-like ash to her face, Teonna fills a pillow case with a literal stack of bibles.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for war paint
Kelly Boutsalis, refinery29.com, 22 June 2021
My father used to call it war paint.
—Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Apr. 2021
On stage, drag artist Aphrodite Banks is a femme fatale: Caked in war paint, with a waterfall of braids whipping around her waist, she’s possessed of the white-hot glare and forthright confidence to match her Amazonian height and bearing.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Feb. 2023
Upon applying war paint-like ash to her face, Teonna fills a pillow case with a literal stack of bibles.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for war paint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for war paint
Noun
-
Honoring her beauty business’ fourth annual Mental Health Summit, the makeup mogul wore light blue, wide-legged denim pants with a flare silhouette and a white blazer with exaggerated shoulder accents.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
23 June 2025
-
Rochester recommends baby shampoo to get your hair and makeup brushes grease-free and without any additives that may irritate sensitive face skin.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Long-distance shooting is what kept Minnesota in the game because the Dream (10-6) were able to impose their will in the paint, scoring a season-high 52 points in close and having a 40-28 rebounding advantage.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
28 June 2025
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Reid provides a good change of pace over Gobert, who is a non-shooter that defends well, but operates in the paint on offense.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“War paint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war%20paint. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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