holy war

noun

: a war or violent campaign waged often by religious extremists for what is considered to be a holy purpose

Examples of holy war in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 1992, the government pressured Muslim clerics to declare a holy war against Nuba who opposed the regime. Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 19 May 2025 While Tedesco calls for a holy war in response to the attack, Benitez takes a different approach, declaring that violence should not be met with more violence. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Apr. 2025 After the September 11 attacks, evangelical American missionaries followed military tanks into Afghanistan and Iraq to convert Muslims as part of a holy war. Rozina Ali, The New York Review of Books, 31 Oct. 2024 While Tedesco calls for a holy war in response to the attack, Benitez takes a different approach, declaring that violence should not be met with more violence. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for holy war

Word History

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of holy war was in 1639

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Cite this Entry

“Holy war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holy%20war. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

holy war

noun
: a war or violent campaign carried on for what is considered a holy purpose

More from Merriam-Webster on holy war

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