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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Example Sentences
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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 makeup of the roster and the team's second-highest preseason ranking in Wieber's seven seasons has her thinking the group could create a special season.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
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However, these cleaners are more harsh in their makeup and post more health hazards from the need of ventilation.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At 218 pounds, the 6-foot-7 forward is both stronger and more fluid in the paint, and has shown a new ability to battle through contact and get to the basket.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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As a result, the Timberwolves outscored the Heat 62-38 in the paint on Tuesday.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“War paint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war%20paint. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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