as in wars
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 wars
So, the civil wars of the 1640s.
—
Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
But such a hope was belied by the developments after the cold war ended as civil wars ensued in many parts of the world.
—Debidatta A. Mahapatra, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Each of these civil wars ended in peace agreements that paved the way for peaceful elections, yet insecurity and economic woes continue to plague the three nations.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Then, back-to-back civil wars in the 1990s and 2000s cratered the economy.
—Emmet Livingstone, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
This week marks a decade since Merkel’s historic decision to open her country’s borders to the large numbers of migrants who were then arriving in Europe in search of refuge from civil wars or dire economic hardship.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
In the 20th century, China was devastated by civil wars, Japanese occupation, and then very bad policies which led to low productivity and widespread famine.
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
But such a hope was belied by the developments after the cold war ended as civil wars ensued in many parts of the world.
—Debidatta A. Mahapatra, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Each of these civil wars ended in peace agreements that paved the way for peaceful elections, yet insecurity and economic woes continue to plague the three nations.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Then, back-to-back civil wars in the 1990s and 2000s cratered the economy.
—Emmet Livingstone, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
This week marks a decade since Merkel’s historic decision to open her country’s borders to the large numbers of migrants who were then arriving in Europe in search of refuge from civil wars or dire economic hardship.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
In the 20th century, China was devastated by civil wars, Japanese occupation, and then very bad policies which led to low productivity and widespread famine.
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil wars
Noun
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These conflicts included wars between Russia and Ukraine and between Iran and Israel; and disputes between India and Pakistan.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
9 June 2026
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Today’s gerrymandering wars are nothing other than an attempt by both parties to predetermine the outcome of elections.—
Frederic J. Fransen,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Strikes in the region have continued in recent days despite the White House's assertion to lawmakers that hostilities have ended.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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The two sides had agreed last month to a ceasefire, but hostilities had continued.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Its Acadian, Creole and maritime narratives reveal how global conflicts and local landscapes shaped the Gulf South.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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That new reality is the result of Iran’s relentless efforts to link the fate of both conflicts, and of the increasingly diverging priorities of the US president and the Israeli prime minister.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Civil wars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20wars. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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