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
But Democrats note the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 June 2025
The board does recall that the Constitution requires an act of Congress to declare war?
—Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
President Trump's decision to launch airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities without first consulting Congress has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers who say the move bypasses their constitutional authority to declare war.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 23 June 2025
Lawmakers backing the resolutions have emphasized that only Congress has the power to declare war under the Constitution.
—June 23, CBS News, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for declare war
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Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 June 2025
The board does recall that the Constitution requires an act of Congress to declare war?
—Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
President Trump's decision to launch airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities without first consulting Congress has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers who say the move bypasses their constitutional authority to declare war.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 23 June 2025
Lawmakers backing the resolutions have emphasized that only Congress has the power to declare war under the Constitution.
—June 23, CBS News, 23 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 10 Jul. 2025.
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