declare war

phrase

: to officially decide to fight or go to war

Congress has the power to declare war on/against other countries.

—often used figuratively

The state has declared war on illiteracy.

Examples of declare war in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the Constitution says only Congress can declare war, the president as commander-in-chief is also able to engage the military. — Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

While Congress has the authority to declare war, the president as the commander-in-chief executes it. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

As of now, the president’s decision to declare war on Iran appears to be a catastrophic mistake rather than an act of bravery. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026

One camp sticks strictly to the claim that Congress alone has the power to declare war. — Literary Hub, 1 July 2026

Rhymes for declare war

• conquistador
• covenantor
• forevermore
• hereinbefore
• kinetochore
• kwashiorkor
• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore