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
But since the war began, traffic has been reduced to a trickle, with just 154 vessels recorded crossing in the entire month of March, according to Kpler data. Henrik Pettersson, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026 And don’t forget to visit Bonampak in Chiapas to see stunning murals that depict Mayan culture with drawings of sacrifices and wars that took place in the classical and post-classical eras. Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 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 president did send a letter to Congress, just to recap, saying that hostilities have been terminated, given the ceasefire that was put in place on April 7th.
    NBC news, NBC news, 3 May 2026
  • The Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) estimates Ukraine’s broader recovery and defense-sector development potential over the decade after hostilities cease at $690 billion.
    David Szondy May 02, New Atlas, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • But, though the guns of war were a decade in the past, the nation had not escaped the spectre of conflict.
    Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Under previous administrations, including President Barack Obama’s, immigration laws were enforced without this kind of performative conflict.
    Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Voters will probably be bombarded with political ads and arguments from opposing sides as the battle intensifies.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The Koh-i-Noor then spent 70 years in Afghanistan, where it was passed around by leaders who won bloody battles against one another.
    Doha Madani, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At that point, the White House needs approval from the legislative branch to continue fighting, according to the War Powers Resolution, a law aimed at reasserting Congress’ constitutional role of declaring war.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 2 May 2026
  • Dyson Daniels and Mitchell Robinson were ejected after fighting following a pair of free throws from Anunoby that gave the Knicks a 50-point lead in the second quarter.
    Maura Carey, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • And deep into the invasion of Ukraine, as US support for Kyiv dwindles, European intelligence agencies have significant motivation to suggest mounting strife and paranoia in the Kremlin.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
  • For some on the right, Obama’s remark is the most emblematic moment of his presidency, hauled out again and again by Fox News, Breitbart, and other right-leaning news outlets to remind them of his responsibility for racial strife.
    Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Westin was the dominant force in Friday’s crosstown rivalry game.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
  • Nilan and Miller spent a lot of those minutes punching each other, Nilan as a Canadien and Miller as a Bruin, during the 1980s iteration of the ancient rivalry.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • The company's lawyers have contended that the Oklahoma case in which Drummond intervened is a private dispute that doesn't involve government officials or public funds.
    Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
  • And in an effort to rebut claims that Comey was being selectively prosecuted, Blanche contended the case against the former FBI director was similar to other threats cases the department routinely brings against the lesser known.
    Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • On September 15th, 1916, land warfare was forever revolutionized with the first operational appearance of the tank.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
  • Mario Diaz-Balart is one of a dwindling number of lawmakers who come from an era in which Democrats and Republicans cooperated more and were less inclined to engage in today’s approach of constant political warfare.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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