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
2
as in conflict
a lack of agreement or harmony
the siblings always seemed to be at war with one another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in battle
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
only the latest round in the never-ending class war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to fight
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of war
Kevin Collier, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
Deadly strikes have continued despite ceasefire deal The ceasefire pact attempted to halt the more than two-year-old war between Israel and the militant group Hamas.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2026
Despite warring awards campaigns, Schwartz and Sonneblick both seem thrilled for one another, the latter spending some of this Zoom call finally getting to ask his mentor burning questions about songwriting and Wicked’s new songs.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for war
Noun
The International Olympic Committee has repeatedly banned Russia for doping scandals and for its war against Ukraine, and Western countries and cybersecurity companies have in turn for years accused Russia of deploying hackers against the Olympic Games.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
Deadly strikes have continued despite ceasefire deal The ceasefire pact attempted to halt the more than two-year-old war between Israel and the militant group Hamas.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Despite warring awards campaigns, Schwartz and Sonneblick both seem thrilled for one another, the latter spending some of this Zoom call finally getting to ask his mentor burning questions about songwriting and Wicked’s new songs.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for war
Noun
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Russia's bigger army has managed to capture about 20% of Ukraine since hostilities began in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of 2022.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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Russia’s bigger army has managed to capture about 20% of Ukraine since hostilities began in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of 2022.—
Kamila Hrabchuk,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Experts say several factors have driven the sharp rise over the past year, including persistent concerns about inflation, ongoing global conflicts, and the possibility of interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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This was in direct conflict with the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The star of the cache was a near-complete Iron Age battle trumpet, or carnyx — used to blare eerie sounds in battle and rally troops against the enemy.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Alain Hamel is credited with catching the giant flatfish, which was pulled through the ice after a two-and-a-half hour battle.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now, Mendoza tells CNN, the couple is no longer fighting to remain the United States.—
Susana Erazo,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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The Franklin Park Defenders, a community group fighting the project, pushed back at the cost that has climbed since it was first floated.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Prices for precious metals have been soaring as investors look for safer places to park their money amid threats of tariffs, still-high inflation, political strife and mountains of debt for governments worldwide.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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Prices for precious metals have been soaring as investors look for safer places to park their money amid threats of tariffs, still-high inflation, political strife and mountains of debt for governments worldwide.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While there are teams, rivalries and even championships on the line, Lightner says the real goal goes far beyond the scoreboard.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
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Next on the line is a woman who is more gracious to Kendrick, but didn’t seem to get the memo that the East Coast-West Coast rivalry ended decades ago.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now, the Wolves are arguably a district title favorite, although Midlothian Heritage and Arlington Seguin certainly have showcased an ability to contend.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
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The lawsuit contends that the city’s response amounted to ratification of discriminatory conduct inside the office tasked with enforcing civil rights protections.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In simple terms, space warfare is about controlling, or disrupting, the satellites and space systems modern militaries rely on every day.—
Emma Withrow,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
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But the real stars of the film were the pilots who did the movie’s aerial warfare scenes.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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