World War III
noun
1
: a hypothetical future world war
Among the citizens of these two countries, the suspicion exists that in the event of World War III their lands will pass unnoticed and unscathed …—
Gordon Ackerman
Gordon AckermanFor years legislators have gone through the motions, knowing that nothing would change. This year they can't be so sure. "Until we have a vote, I'm not moving off this for the budget or World War III," John McCain told me.—Jonathan Alter
Jonathan Alter2
: a major fight or disagreement : a situation in which people are very angry with one another
You instigate World War III when he tells you he wants to go to Hooters with his old frat buddies.—Julie Taylor
Julie TaylorExamples of World War III in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other reported damage includes a 50 foot tall art installation called Black Cloud that was created by a team of artists from Ukraine and which was meant to serve as a symbol of freedom for the country amid its ongoing war while also warning about the dangers of a potential World War III.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025
At the very least, Darren Star should confirm that Carrie would absolutely use World War III as an excuse to call The Russian.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2025
While threatening to launch nuclear missiles against any Ally helping democratic Ukraine repel its Russian invaders, Kremlin commander-in-chief Vladimir Putin has also warned a direct, armed clash of civilizations with the West could spiral into World War III.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Such an operation would take months of planning, cost billions of dollars, risk thousands of American lives, and might very well trigger World War III.
—Nick Danby, National Review, 29 July 2025
Musk framed the move as an act of prudent restraint that would help avert World War III.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
In the background, World War III raged on between Lily’s grandchildren.
—Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
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Katie Bain, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025
At the very least, Darren Star should confirm that Carrie would absolutely use World War III as an excuse to call The Russian.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2025
While threatening to launch nuclear missiles against any Ally helping democratic Ukraine repel its Russian invaders, Kremlin commander-in-chief Vladimir Putin has also warned a direct, armed clash of civilizations with the West could spiral into World War III.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Such an operation would take months of planning, cost billions of dollars, risk thousands of American lives, and might very well trigger World War III.
—Nick Danby, National Review, 29 July 2025
Musk framed the move as an act of prudent restraint that would help avert World War III.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
In the background, World War III raged on between Lily’s grandchildren.
—Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“World War III.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/World%20War%20III. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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