often attributive
1
a(1)
: a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations
(2)
: a period of such armed conflict
(3)
b
: the art or science of warfare
c(1)
obsolete
: weapons and equipment for war
(2)
archaic
: soldiers armed and equipped for war
2
a
: a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism
b
: a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end
a class war
a war against disease
c
warred; warring
Examples of war in a Sentence
Noun
They fought a war over the disputed territory.
A war broke out when the colonists demanded their independence.
We need to resolve our conflicts without resorting to war.
People behave differently during a time of war.
The taking of American hostages was seen as an act of war by the United States.
the budget wars in Washington
Verb (1)
continually warring against their neighbors in an effort to expand their territory
Recent Examples on the Web
Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Seliutina said this is where war widows, especially younger ones, can help secure Ukraine’s future.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
The two families at the center of the story are warring for conquest of a volcanic holy mountain; their various alliances over the course of the film are not attempts at class preservation but rather ritualistic power plays.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for war
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.
Noun
Orbán has frequently threatened to scuttle the bloc’s efforts to sanction Moscow over its invasion, and has decried attempts to hit Russia’s energy revenues that help finance the war.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Seliutina said this is where war widows, especially younger ones, can help secure Ukraine’s future.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
Tharia’s Jane, meanwhile, is both vulnerable and volatile, sometimes letting slip a mass of frightened, warring impulses behind her still, steady gaze.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
The two families at the center of the story are warring for conquest of a volcanic holy mountain; their various alliances over the course of the film are not attempts at class preservation but rather ritualistic power plays.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for war
Cite this Entry
“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
war
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a state or period of armed hostile conflict between states, nations, or groups
b
: the science of warfare
2
a
: a state of hostility, antagonism, or conflict
b
: a struggle between opposing forces or for a particular goal
a war on disease
war
2 of 2 verb
warred; warring
1
: to engage in warfare
warring nations
2
: to be in conflict
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
