war power

noun

: the power to make war
specifically : an extraordinary power exercised usually by the executive branch of a government in the prosecution of a war

Examples of war power 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.
For example, in a fiery defense of federal aid to the citizens of Alabama and Georgia devastated by recent Native American hostilities, Adams invoked Congress’s war powers, while calling attention to a deeper hypocrisy. Time, 24 Sep. 2025 Modern war power is based on the flow of fighting machinery, not the stockpile. John Fischer, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 His authorities again became a flashpoint last week, when the House voted to repeal two decades-old war powers laws relating to the 1991 and 2003 invasions of Iraq, this time with the help of Republicans. David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025 Additionally, the president’s war powers, as outlined in the Constitution, are usually limited to events where groups have done harm to the United States or its citizens. Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for war power

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of war power was in 1766

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Cite this Entry

“War power.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war%20power. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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