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
-
My mom always applies it with her fingers, but it can also be applied using a brush or makeup sponge—just make sure to use light layers and blend for a natural, crease-free finish.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
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The night before the 2026 Grammy Awards, most makeup artists were home prepping their kits or reviewing the next day’s schedule.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Cougars finished with four turnovers and held a 26-8 advantage in points in the paint.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
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Behind 35 points from Brandon Ingram, Toronto (29-21) was able finish with a 56-42 advantage in the paint, but Orlando’s win snapped a four-game losing streak against the Canadian team that reached back to last season.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“War paint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war%20paint. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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