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
Mortgage rates climbed once again after the US began its war with Iran, and have remained elevated since. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026 There is no exit strategy and no end in sight to this war started without congressional approval. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
Human rights organizations documented more than 50 massacres in Colombia this year, including clashes between warring guerilla factions this week that left around 50 people dead. — Lilia Luciano, CBS News, 30 May 2026 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 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
  • The Navy has used the cessation of hostilities to restock ships with munitions and supplies, completing a significant replenishment of weapons for the USS George Washington last week.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • That action comes as part of a broader regional war in the Middle East that began when the United States and Israel attacked Iran in February 2026—and Iran has drawn up plans to potentially attack undersea cables if hostilities ramp up once again.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostilities
Noun
  • Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has also warned that Iran would retaliate if Washington reignited the conflict.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Its cost was recovered after just one month of conflict, according to people familiar with the matter.
    — Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • The letter was shared as Haitian police and foreign forces continue to battle gangs, with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announcing on X late Friday that a gang leader was killed, without identifying him.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The attention surfaced new accusations of misconduct against sitting members and thrust a spotlight onto others that were part of ongoing legal battles.
    — Anna Liss-Roy, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • Dado is, though, as dedicated an avant-guardist as Chicago theater has seen, and there are times when that impulse to lean into symbolism fights a play heavily reliant on empathy and realism.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Decisions on how to fight the Knowles fire were driven by the desire to prevent the spread of cheatgrass and protect sage-grouse habitat and a downwind community, the report said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Concerns about security and safety due to political strife have caused many Americans to think about second residency.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But in the last year and half, the national economic strife has plagued his store.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of strife
Noun
  • Overshadowing the stats are the magnitude and intensity of the rivalry, and the fact that Wesleyan has won the last two, spoiling the seasons for Trinity’s current upper classmen.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Rent rivalries Ponder inland rents against what tenants pay in states considered California’s main economic rivals.
    — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of rivalry
Verb
  • Overall, the Royals hope for more offensive success to contend in the American League Central.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Downs took to social media to express his jubilation from being traded from the reeling Colts to the contending Chiefs.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of contend
Noun
  • Military commentator Song Zhongping told the Global Times that modern warfare complicates battlefield medical evacuations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Particularly encouraging for Seifman was that bookings were diversified across missiles, radar and other electronic-warfare technologies.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 11 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on war

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about war

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