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.
In response, Democrats have been pushing for votes on war powers resolutions to reassert their congressional authority on military action. Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025 Many Democrats have voiced support for passing a war powers resolution that seeks to block Trump from taking additional military action against Iran without explicit congressional authorization. Ella Lee, The Hill, 25 June 2025 The Democratic pushback is also coalescing around efforts in both chambers to reassert congressional war powers. Nik Popli, Time, 24 June 2025 Regardless of the ceasefire, a war powers vote wouldn’t have happened immediately. Chelsea Chan, NBC news, 24 June 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 11 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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