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
Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats alike have debated whether the Trump administration’s decision to bomb Iran’s three nuclear facilities on June 22 constituted an unofficial declaration of war – since Trump has not asked Congress to formally declare war against Iran.
—
Andrea Stanton, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
But lawmakers note the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 25 June 2025
This is a violation of Article I of the Constitution which requires congressional approval to declare war.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
This allows Congress to formally declare war, but gives the president authority to direct the military.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for declare war
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Andrea Stanton, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
But lawmakers note the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 25 June 2025
This is a violation of Article I of the Constitution which requires congressional approval to declare war.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
This allows Congress to formally declare war, but gives the president authority to direct the military.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 17 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 31 Jul. 2025.
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