war 1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯr How to pronounce war (audio)
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

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2
as in conflict
a lack of agreement or harmony the siblings always seemed to be at war with one another

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3
as in battle
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another only the latest round in the never-ending class war

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war

2 of 2

verb

as in to fight

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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 American people don’t want another endless war, which the Iran war is turning into. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 Those include the war in Iran and broader instability in the Middle East and the cost of fuel. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
Written and directed by Denmark’s Oscar-winning Anders Thomas Jensen, its warring brothers are played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Mads Mikkelsen. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026 Silicon Valley’s warring factions are pouring money into congressional primaries. — Nitasha Tiku, Washington Post, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for war
  1. hostilities
  2. conflict
  3. battle
  4. fight
  5. strife
  6. rivalry
  7. contend
  8. warfare
Noun
  • Given the extent of the disruption to oil exports from the Middle East since the start of hostilities between Washington and Tehran, most of the hikes announced by OPEC+ since March have had a negligible impact on the physical crude market.
    — Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Multiple countries are entangled in Sudan’s conflict, and other foreigners, including Russians and Ukrainians, have taken part in hostilities.
    — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostilities
Noun
  • The more than five-month-old conflict, which was already expanding beyond its main fronts, has embroiled further countries in the Middle East in recent days, notably the likes of Iraq and Egypt.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • As Tehran and Washington issue mixed messages, the status of the strait remains at the core of the conflict.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • Even now, weeks into efforts to battle misinformation, some residents hold mistaken views of the outbreak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • This was the first indication that Fred Johnson actually has the edge in the swing tackle battle.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • If your body has been asking you in a few ways to slow down (like feeling a cough coming on, or a tiredness that won’t shake off), stop fighting against what your body or heart is trying to tell you.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Only one helicopter was able to scoop water from the sea to fight the blaze.
    — Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • The prospect of labor strife looms over the rest of this Padres/MLB season, what with the labor pact due to expire in December and both sides already drawing bright red lines in public statements.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The legal strife between controversial rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West) and his former assistant Lauren Pisciotta has ended after more than two years.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of strife
Noun
  • The unusually open rivalry within the theocracy's leadership points to a struggle for control over Iran’s postwar future.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That leaves the door open for the continuation of the blockbuster rivalry between Rhodes and Orton, who has been off TV for the past few months.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of rivalry
Verb
  • Elsewhere, though, pundits contend that these voters are rejecting socialism and its candidates, as in last year’s party primary for New York City mayor, when then-candidate Zohran Mamdani lost Black communities by wide margins.
    — Theodore R. Johnson, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Football season is back in South Florida as both the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes have opened training camp, giving fans an early look at teams hoping to contend in the NFL and college football this fall.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of contend
Noun
  • Academy leaders have repeatedly told Congress that rigorous scholarship, civilian faculty expertise and exposure to complex questions help prepare officers for the uncertainty of modern warfare.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • These drones could perform tasks such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, decoy operations, or missile strikes while remaining under the supervision of the F-47 pilot.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Definition of warfare

Phrases Containing war

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wants
war
war (against)
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Cite this Entry

“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on war

Nglish: Translation of war for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about war

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