warfare

noun

war·​fare ˈwȯr-ˌfer 

1

: military operations between enemies : hostilities, war

also : an activity undertaken by a political unit (such as a nation) to weaken or destroy another

economic warfare

2

: struggle between competing entities : conflict

see also:

biological warfare chemical warfare cyber warfare germ warfare trench warfare

Synonyms of warfare

• war
• strife
• discord
• conflict
• friction
• discordance
• discordancy
• schism
• dissent

Examples of warfare in a Sentence

that troubled household seems to be almost constantly in a state of warfare

companies engaged in constant warfare for dominance in the market for smart phones and tablets

Recent Examples on the Web

China would thus have the last clear chance to back down from all-out warfare. — Eugene Gholz, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026

With integrated air and missile defense, anti-submarine warfare capabilities, and long-range strike options, the GMF 140 is positioned as one of the most capable frigates in its size class. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026

Their respective loyalists converted fandom into partisan warfare online. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Giudice survived prison, divorce and years of family warfare without relinquishing her place at the center of New Jersey. — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from werre, warre war + fare journey, passage — more at fare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing warfare

• biological warfare
• chemical warfare
• cyber warfare
• germ warfare
• psychological warfare
• trench warfare

Rhymes for warfare

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

warfare

noun

war·​fare ˈwȯr-ˌfa(ə)r 

-ˌfe(ə)r

1

a

: military fighting between enemies : war

b

: activity undertaken by one country or group to weaken or destroy another

economic warfare

2

: a struggle between competitors : conflict

industrial warfare