state of war

noun phrase

1

a

: a state of actual armed hostilities regardless of a formal declaration of war

b

: a legal state created and ended by official declaration regardless of actual armed hostilities and usually characterized by operation of the rules of war

2

: the period of time during which a state of war is in effect

Examples of state of war in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The June 26 Lebanon-Israel deal also envisions steps toward an eventual peace agreement between the two countries — which technically remain in a state of war nearly 80 years after Israel’s establishment. — Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

The breakthrough could lead to a path of diplomatic normalization between the two countries, Lebanon and Israel, that are in a formal state of war. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026

De la Espriella’s solution is to return Colombia to a state of war against any rebel faction that doesn’t submit. — Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026

Israeli and Lebanese officials have been meeting in Washington even though the two countries have been officially in a state of war for decades. — Greg Myre, NPR, 31 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for state of war

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