cold war
noun
1
: a conflict over ideological differences carried on by methods short of sustained overt military action and usually without breaking off diplomatic relations
specifically, often capitalized C&W
: the ideological conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the second half of the 20th century compare hot war
2
: a condition of rivalry, mistrust, and often open hostility short of violence especially between power groups (such as labor and management)
Examples of cold war in a Sentence
the era of the Cold War
the cold war between the party's more liberal and conservative members
Recent Examples on the Web
Since that gathering in March, what had been a cold war has gone hot.
—
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Nicki Minaj and Cardi’s confusing cold war sparked tributary disputes with Ice Spice, JT from the City Girls, and Boston’s Bia.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Wright and Cooke both lean right into the emotionally heightened madness of it all, especially as Laura and Cherry’s cold war turns extremely, violently hot.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
The border cold war finally thawed, and over the next decade-plus the schools slowly renewed acquaintances in several sports, including men’s basketball.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold war
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Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Nicki Minaj and Cardi’s confusing cold war sparked tributary disputes with Ice Spice, JT from the City Girls, and Boston’s Bia.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Wright and Cooke both lean right into the emotionally heightened madness of it all, especially as Laura and Cherry’s cold war turns extremely, violently hot.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
The border cold war finally thawed, and over the next decade-plus the schools slowly renewed acquaintances in several sports, including men’s basketball.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold war
Cite this Entry
“Cold war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20war. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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