war of words
noun phrase
: an argument in which people or groups criticize and disagree with each other publicly and repeatedly for usually a long time
Rival groups have engaged in a war of words over the new law.
Examples of war of words in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even by the standards of recent Ashes series, the war of words has reached a new nadir — or zenith, depending on your pantomime tolerance levels.
—
Darren Richman, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
The war of words between Disney and Google continues — on the fourth day of the blackout of ESPN, ABC and other Disney networks on YouTube TV amid a fee dispute.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski and Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andres Gimenez had a war of words in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game 7 of the World Series.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Back in August, however, that seemed to be the criteria, at least in the war of words waging on social media.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for war of words
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Darren Richman, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
The war of words between Disney and Google continues — on the fourth day of the blackout of ESPN, ABC and other Disney networks on YouTube TV amid a fee dispute.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski and Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andres Gimenez had a war of words in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game 7 of the World Series.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Back in August, however, that seemed to be the criteria, at least in the war of words waging on social media.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for war of words
Cite this Entry
“War of words.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war%20of%20words. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025.
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