chemical warfare
noun
: tactical warfare using substances (such as incendiary mixtures, smoke, or gases) with irritant, burning, poisonous, or asphyxiating properties
There were other isolated instances of chemical warfare. The Greeks used a gas attack with sulphur fumes at the siege of Delium in 424 B.C.—
Bernard Brodie and Fawn M. Brodie
Bernard Brodie and Fawn M. BrodieThe forswearing of chemical warfare by the major combatants in World War II foreshadowed the later nuclear "balance of terror," during the Cold War.—Clifford F. Beal
Clifford F. BealExamples of chemical warfare in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Using botanicals applies the intelligence of nature itself to Axiom’s eco-strategy, allowing for successful pest control minus the usual chemical warfare on unintended targets.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Exposure to chemical warfare agents—such as nerve gas—or to pyridostigmine bromide, a drug given to soldiers as a preventive measure against chemical attacks, may have played a role.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Jon Henry served in Iraq during the first Gulf War, in a unit meant to counter chemical warfare attacks.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 19 June 2025
Two military-grade gas masks are included to protect against chemical warfare, tear gas and other potential airborne threats.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chemical warfare
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Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Exposure to chemical warfare agents—such as nerve gas—or to pyridostigmine bromide, a drug given to soldiers as a preventive measure against chemical attacks, may have played a role.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Jon Henry served in Iraq during the first Gulf War, in a unit meant to counter chemical warfare attacks.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 19 June 2025
Two military-grade gas masks are included to protect against chemical warfare, tear gas and other potential airborne threats.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chemical warfare
Cite this Entry
“Chemical warfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemical%20warfare. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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