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 attack prompted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to ask Congress to declare war on Japan, which marked the United States' entry into World War II.
—
Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2025
Only Congress — not the president — can declare war.
—Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
While the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, the president has the authority to respond to sudden attacks, like predatory incursions or invasions, per the Brennan Center for Justice.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 16 Mar. 2025
Letters of marque and reprisal are authorized under Article One, Section Eight, Clause 10 of the Constitution—the same clause that gives Congress the power to declare war and also the power to issue these letters of marque.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for declare war
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Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2025
Only Congress — not the president — can declare war.
—Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
While the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, the president has the authority to respond to sudden attacks, like predatory incursions or invasions, per the Brennan Center for Justice.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 16 Mar. 2025
Letters of marque and reprisal are authorized under Article One, Section Eight, Clause 10 of the Constitution—the same clause that gives Congress the power to declare war and also the power to issue these letters of marque.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 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 30 Apr. 2025.
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