arms race

noun

: a race between hostile nations to accumulate or develop weapons
broadly : an ever escalating race or competition

Examples of arms race in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With arms’ control talks increasingly sidelined, the arms race of the 21st century is not only more expensive than during the Cold War, but potentially more dangerous. Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 The move marks the latest escalation in the financial arms race of college sports, a trend that accelerated in 2014 when the Division I Board of Directors granted new autonomy to the SEC and four other power conferences, giving them greater control over key policy decisions. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 May 2025 The company is ground zero in the U.S.-China tech rivalry — its GPUs might just be the most valuable components in the AI arms race, and its position is increasingly shaped by policy, not just engineering. Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 28 May 2025 The prospect of shiny new alternatives to Apple’s devices added to concerns about the company’s struggle to compete in the AI arms race. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for arms race

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arms race was in 1921

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Cite this Entry

“Arms race.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arms%20race. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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