world war
noun
: a war engaged in by all or most of the principal nations of the world
especially,
World War
: either of two such wars of the first half of the 20th century
Examples of world war in a Sentence
He fought in both World Wars.
The nations were prepared for world war.
Recent Examples on the Web
That term was popularized between the two world wars and served as the name of the powerful populist movement to preserve U.S. isolationism and promote our diplomatic distance from the rest of the world.
—
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
This principle has remained intact through two world wars, civil rights struggles, and modern immigration waves.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
In retrospect, this may be one of the most significant insights of his pontificate—the frank recognition that the number and gravity of violent conflicts constitute a world war that has largely gone unrecognized.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 9 May 2025
The vast majority of respondents, 71%, also said that nuclear weapons would likely be used in another world war, while just 17% said this would be unlikely.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for world war
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Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
This principle has remained intact through two world wars, civil rights struggles, and modern immigration waves.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
In retrospect, this may be one of the most significant insights of his pontificate—the frank recognition that the number and gravity of violent conflicts constitute a world war that has largely gone unrecognized.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 9 May 2025
The vast majority of respondents, 71%, also said that nuclear weapons would likely be used in another world war, while just 17% said this would be unlikely.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for world war
Cite this Entry
“World war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/world%20war. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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