warfare

noun

ˈwȯr-ˌfer How to pronounce warfare (audio)
Definition of warfarenext
1
as in war
a lack of agreement or harmony that troubled household seems to be almost constantly in a state of warfare

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another companies engaged in constant warfare for dominance in the market for smart phones and tablets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 warfare In 2015, the PLA created the Strategic Support Force, a now defunct organization that consolidated China’s space, cyber, and electronic warfare missions, with the aim of accelerating the country’s space progress. — Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026 That is unlikely to stop, and likely to again reshape the landscape of warfare in the coming years. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 Battle-tested Like their patron Iran, the Houthis have deployed asymmetric warfare for the 21st century by capitalizing on their strengths — primarily drones and missiles. — NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026 In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued warrants for the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, who were accused of using starvation as a method of warfare. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for warfare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warfare
  1. war
  2. rivalry
  3. strife
  4. battle
  5. discord
  6. struggle
  7. conflict
  8. competition
Noun
  • Montanans are suffocating due to an affordability crisis, rising fuel prices and an inexplicable war.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • On Monday, Zelenskyy said holding elections in Ukraine was impossible during war time, especially with new Russian tactics involving attacks day and night.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of war
Noun
  • The alleged rivalry between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle was seemingly dying down—but then Meghan and Prince Harry moved back to the UK.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The group will confront old tensions and determine if these chapters can finally be closed, or if some rivalries are simply too deep to leave in the past.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of rivalry
Noun
  • Given the financial pressures, the impact of how responsibilities and costs should be distributed is causing more strife.
    — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The world of stand-up comedy is in another round of internal strife.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of strife
Noun
  • In yet another battle between the states and social media platforms, Florida asked a state judge to order changes on Instagram and Facebook in an effort to protect young users.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, Hollister was also engaged in a lengthy courtroom battle with Perry and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles over the rights to another property, a Los Feliz convent the singer hoped to turn into a private home.
    — Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • So far, counter-efforts have involved both protectionist and industrial policies, including “Made in Europeâ€� rules that have stoked discord among some of Europe’s largest economies.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Officials say one goal of the attacks is to undermine support for Ukraine, spread fear and discord in European societies and drain investigative resources.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of discord
Noun
  • Hernández said the group wanted to use the platform to bring further awareness to the struggles immigrants continue to face in this country with an audience that notably skews more American than Los Tigres is accustomed to.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hollywood executives at a panel featuring UTA, Gold House, Lionsgate and HYBE saw an opening for Asian talent and stories rooted in specific cultures, while conceding that getting projects funded is still a struggle.
    — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggle
Noun
  • Soon afterward, the antagonism between Nusra and ISIS spiralled into open conflict.
    — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • To further lessen the risk of future conflict, Washington should also work with its partners to reduce the world’s vulnerability to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • The five-episode doc follows Five Guys’ global competition of crew members from local qualifying rounds to the ultimate championship.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Economist Thomas Philippon calculates that weakened competition costs the typical household about $300 a month.
    — Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of competition

Browse Nearby Words

wares
warfare
warfares
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Warfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warfare. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on warfare

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about warfare

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of syncretic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All