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 and Fawn M. Brodie
Bernard 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
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
Peter eventually uncovers the existence of Foxglove, a joint CIA-military program that was aimed at combating the future of chemical warfare but quickly shuttered due to the ethical concerns of manufacturing life-threatening chemical agents for research purposes.
—Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
On a nearby hill overlooking the highway was the chemical warfare battalion base for the 4th Armored Division, an elite unit led by Assad’s younger brother Maher and which had acted as a sort of praetorian guard for his government.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Beginning with widespread use during World War I, sulfur mustard has had a long history of use as a chemical warfare agent.
—New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for chemical warfare
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Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025
Peter eventually uncovers the existence of Foxglove, a joint CIA-military program that was aimed at combating the future of chemical warfare but quickly shuttered due to the ethical concerns of manufacturing life-threatening chemical agents for research purposes.
—Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
On a nearby hill overlooking the highway was the chemical warfare battalion base for the 4th Armored Division, an elite unit led by Assad’s younger brother Maher and which had acted as a sort of praetorian guard for his government.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Beginning with widespread use during World War I, sulfur mustard has had a long history of use as a chemical warfare agent.
—New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
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 28 May. 2025.
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