as in war
a a state or period of fighting between groups of people in the same country
a region that has had many civil wars
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Recent Examples of civil war
As book readers know, those events culminated in a civil war and the extinction of the dragons—at least until Daenerys Targaryen came along.
—
ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
During the civil war, the Army splintered along sectarian lines, and, for a time, that consensus collapsed.
—Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Hadi was a senior officer when civil war erupted in 1986, following a fallout between rival factions of Southern Yemen’s then governing Socialist party.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Construction of the 1,911-mile transcontinental railroad connecting California with the eastern half of the United States began in 1863, while the nation was engaged in a bloody civil war, and was completed six years later when its two legs were joined at Promontory Summit in Utah.
—Dan Walters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for civil war
ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
During the civil war, the Army splintered along sectarian lines, and, for a time, that consensus collapsed.
—Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Hadi was a senior officer when civil war erupted in 1986, following a fallout between rival factions of Southern Yemen’s then governing Socialist party.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Construction of the 1,911-mile transcontinental railroad connecting California with the eastern half of the United States began in 1863, while the nation was engaged in a bloody civil war, and was completed six years later when its two legs were joined at Promontory Summit in Utah.
—Dan Walters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for civil war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil war
Noun
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There are mixed messages on US-Iran talks to end the war.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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The wars are projected to compound shortfalls in overall tungsten supply as defense demand grows.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Ahead of season 3, EW has launched three motion covers, each one starring a contender for the crown — as the show's cold war escalates into literal dragon fire.—
Tiffany Kelly,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
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Not just because Cubans could get online, but also because Cuba and the United States had reestablished diplomatic relations, ending decades of cold war, and the news attracted foreign media attention to the island.—
Abraham Jiménez Enoa,
The Dial,
19 May 2026
Noun
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Moscow is fighting a world war, even if Western countries won’t acknowledge it.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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Minghella and a stellar cast never lose the tenderness amidst the epic sweep of a world war.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The conflict has become increasingly unpopular in the United States as Americans face higher prices at the pump.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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The election has also underscored two sharply diverging visions for the future of peace in a country marked by years of conflict.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
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By the conclusion of the second film, Paul had aligned with the native Fremen people of Arrakis to successfully defeat House Harkonnen and began a holy war against the Empire.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
14 Apr. 2026
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Some of these invocations align with Hegseth’s recurring references to the Crusades in the Middle Ages – a centuries-long holy war between Christians and Muslims.—
Samuel Perry,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In contrast, China has made targeted investments intended to give it an advantage in a quick, limited war, while keeping its overall defense spending relatively modest: Beijing’s defense spending has risen from five percent of U.S. levels in 1995 to 32 percent in 2017.—
Oriana Skylar Mastro,
Foreign Affairs,
20 May 2025
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Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in a limited war since last October, but Israeli forces have significantly escalated the scope of their attacks since the beginning of September in an attempt to force Hezbollah to stop its attacks on northern Israel.—
Mike Brest,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
30 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Civil war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20war. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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