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

For 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

2

: 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

Examples of World War III in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first half of the film is essentially a political thriller—shades of 1974’s The Parallax View and similar films—as global tensions have the world teetering on the brink of World War III. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2026

This may lead to the breaking out of World War III, and the whole world will suffer. — Scott Tong, NPR, 11 June 2026

Trump recently asked for another $400 billion for the war on Iran that encourages not only theft of resources and the lives of the targeted in sovereign countries – but a most careless and dangerous encouragement of World War III. — Linh Tat, Oc Register, 5 May 2026

After receiving a jolt from above, EDI goes rogue and risks starting World War III. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026

And let’s not get started on neighborhood historic preservation gatekeepers where, say, using the wrong balusters on your porch can set off World War III with your neighbors. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026

The Chinese government seems to have hit a roadblock – or perhaps experienced a moment of clarity – about triggering World War III by invading Taiwan next year. — Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2026

Well, yeah, talk about what happened or more specifically what didn't happen this week, which was potential World War III. — Brian Barrett, Wired News, 10 Apr. 2026

Social media doesn’t help by simply mocking all this serious political unrest with memes joking about World War III. — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for World War III

• striae