as in makeup
preparations intended to beautify the face
when I was young, I loved to watch Mom put on her war paint before a fancy evening out
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Recent Examples of war paint
On stage, drag artist Aphrodite Banks is a femme fatale: Caked in war paint, with a waterfall of braids whipping around her waist, she’s possessed of the white-hot glare and forthright confidence to match her Amazonian height and bearing.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Feb. 2023
This is my war paint.
—Kelly Boutsalis, refinery29.com, 22 June 2021
My father used to call it war paint.
—Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Apr. 2021
Military news stories throughout the Iraq war paint a similarly sanguine picture.
—Andrew Shaver, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2015
See All Example Sentences for war paint
Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Feb. 2023
This is my war paint.
—Kelly Boutsalis, refinery29.com, 22 June 2021
My father used to call it war paint.
—Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Apr. 2021
Military news stories throughout the Iraq war paint a similarly sanguine picture.
—Andrew Shaver, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2015
See All Example Sentences for war paint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for war paint
Noun
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The company said the brand ranks in first place in the prestige makeup category in the UK and third in the US.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2026
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Vote now in the Allure Readers' Choice Awards poll, where readers decide the skin-care, makeup, hair, body, and clean beauty winners.—
Allure Editors,
Allure,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Although the paint job catches the eye, the new stands, which cost about $87,000 each, have several features that will be helpful to lifeguards and beachgoers.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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The home exclusively features Sherwin-Williams paint, such as Pure White SW 7005 on the exterior.—
Mina Loudermilk,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“War paint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war%20paint. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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