war 1 of 2

Definition of warnext
1
as in hostilities
a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups the war was the result of ethnic tensions that had been building in the region for decades

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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war

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of war
Noun
The Haber-Bosch process, which enabled the mass production of both fertilizer and explosives, was invented in 1909, five years before war shattered Europe. Shayla Love, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026 Gory stories of immigrants causing crime and the culture wars. Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
It’s expected to commence once details about Gaza’s governance are hashed out by the warring sides and third-party mediators. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Jan. 2026 If the country had sustained a center and not fallen into warring camps, here is what would have happened in the last year. Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for war
Noun
  • The resolution would prohibit unauthorized military hostilities in Iran without congressional approval.
    Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Outcome of this week’s indirect talks will be key to the direction of oil prices as traders weigh potential supply concerns if hostilities escalate.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The conflict also threatens to worsen Afghanistan’s already grave humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by Western aid cuts following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
  • The first details of possible effects on Iran's nuclear program, the issue at the center of the escalating conflict, began to emerge.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The program currently remains in another legal battle, with people able to renew their status but no new applications accepted.
    Mathew Miranda February 26, Sacbee.com, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The battle pitted Ellison against Netflix, the industry’s biggest and most important player.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The designation, which Anthropic will fight in court, could become a serious problem for the startup, which earns its revenue through enterprise software sales to companies that might currently or one day want to work with the military in some capacity.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Prosecutors are fighting to prevent Cox from being able to cross examine witnesses.
    Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Everyone’s hearts are closer to the surface than usual, so being tolerant of one another’s idiosyncrasies could be necessary to avoid strife.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
  • The sweep of American history suggests the ideal of equality has staying power, even in periods of wrenching strife.
    Kenji Yoshino, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Does this sort of thing not allow narratives to develop, rivalries to grow, entertaining animus to fester?
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The heated rivalry between the Pentagon and Anthropic just hit a new horizon Friday.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Broward is the bluest county in the state, though DeNapoli contends his city is more supportive of the president than the rest of the county.
    Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
  • The lawsuit contends the district’s approach crosses a legal line.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The pilot and his electronic warfare officer also struggled with a wet runway at Naval Air Station North Island during their second attempt to land, when winds were creating a tailwind on the landing runway.
    Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The key driver of this growth in defense is drones, a technology that is rapidly advancing warfare and could have ripple effects on other commercial technologies down the line.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

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