World War III
noun
1
: a hypothetical future world war
Among the citizens of these two countries, the suspicion exists that in the event of World War III their lands will pass unnoticed and unscathed …—
Gordon Ackerman
Gordon AckermanFor years legislators have gone through the motions, knowing that nothing would change. This year they can't be so sure. "Until we have a vote, I'm not moving off this for the budget or World War III," John McCain told me.—Jonathan Alter
Jonathan Alter2
: a major fight or disagreement : a situation in which people are very angry with one another
You instigate World War III when he tells you he wants to go to Hooters with his old frat buddies.—Julie Taylor
Julie TaylorExamples of World War III in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Social media doesn’t help by simply mocking all this serious political unrest with memes joking about World War III.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Sean Connery executed one of his best roles as a Soviet submarine commander who’s either trying to defect to America or itching to start World War III.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Not quite a fortnight into Operation Epic Fury against Iran, and markets still haven’t decided whether President Donald Trump has launched us into World War III.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
On the other hand, his jumpstart of World War III has commenced, causing the stock market to tank, oil prices to go through the roof and a level of anxiety gripping the nation as never before.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
This did not throw the planet into World War III or regional chaos.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
Szijjártó cautioned that a showdown between NATO and Russia could spark World War III.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Up next for the AI, is a plan that could plunge the globe into World War III.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
At the very least, Darren Star should confirm that Carrie would absolutely use World War III as an excuse to call The Russian.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2025
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Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Sean Connery executed one of his best roles as a Soviet submarine commander who’s either trying to defect to America or itching to start World War III.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Not quite a fortnight into Operation Epic Fury against Iran, and markets still haven’t decided whether President Donald Trump has launched us into World War III.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
On the other hand, his jumpstart of World War III has commenced, causing the stock market to tank, oil prices to go through the roof and a level of anxiety gripping the nation as never before.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
This did not throw the planet into World War III or regional chaos.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
Szijjártó cautioned that a showdown between NATO and Russia could spark World War III.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Up next for the AI, is a plan that could plunge the globe into World War III.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
At the very least, Darren Star should confirm that Carrie would absolutely use World War III as an excuse to call The Russian.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“World War III.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/World%20War%20III. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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