declare war
idiom
: to officially decide to fight or go to war
Congress has the power to declare war on/against other countries.
—often used figurativelyThe state has declared war on illiteracy.
Examples of declare war in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Charlie Kirk Act must declare war on subversion at home, or America's enemies abroad will conclude that the nation has lost its will.
—
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
If the president were to decide on direct military action, then Congress would likely be involved in some capacity – and, of course, only Congress has the power to declare war.
—John Deni, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
And, under the Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war.
—Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Congress could formally declare war, but has not done so since 1942.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for declare war
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Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
If the president were to decide on direct military action, then Congress would likely be involved in some capacity – and, of course, only Congress has the power to declare war.
—John Deni, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
And, under the Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war.
—Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Congress could formally declare war, but has not done so since 1942.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for declare war
Cite this Entry
“Declare war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declare%20war. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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