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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conflicts
a lack of agreement or harmony
the siblings always seemed to be at war with one another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
only the latest round in the never-ending class war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wars
Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
The secret ingredient in sweets, sodas and cosmetics is entangled in one of the world’s deadliest and least-noticed wars.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Both New Line’s Weapons and Sony’s Resident Evil ignited heated bidding wars following the success of Barbarian, which drew rave reviews and grossed over $46M worldwide in 2022.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 June 2026
Getty Images Despite trade wars and tariffs, Japan exported three of its most valuable commodities to the United States (and Canada) this off-season.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
An employee puts the final touches on Kingda Ka, Six Flags’ 456-foot behemoth that marked the end of the coaster wars between Six Flags and Cedar Fair in 2005.
—HubSpot, 1 June 2026
Iran has issued almost daily statements supporting Hezbollah and says peace efforts must address wars in both Iran and Lebanon, Myre says.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 1 June 2026
But Great Power wars are more destructive than others because of their intensity and scale, because of the weapons used, and because of their tendency to spread.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Redistricting wars rage on On the same day as the South Carolina Senate vote, Democrats also gained slight ground in Alabama.
—Bella Carpentier, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Noun
Madonna has made music through various calamities that at the time felt world-ending — wars, political unrest, financial collapse — so the terrors of 2026 don’t seem to faze her.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
The secret ingredient in sweets, sodas and cosmetics is entangled in one of the world’s deadliest and least-noticed wars.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Both New Line’s Weapons and Sony’s Resident Evil ignited heated bidding wars following the success of Barbarian, which drew rave reviews and grossed over $46M worldwide in 2022.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 June 2026
Getty Images Despite trade wars and tariffs, Japan exported three of its most valuable commodities to the United States (and Canada) this off-season.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
An employee puts the final touches on Kingda Ka, Six Flags’ 456-foot behemoth that marked the end of the coaster wars between Six Flags and Cedar Fair in 2005.
—HubSpot, 1 June 2026
Iran has issued almost daily statements supporting Hezbollah and says peace efforts must address wars in both Iran and Lebanon, Myre says.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 1 June 2026
But Great Power wars are more destructive than others because of their intensity and scale, because of the weapons used, and because of their tendency to spread.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Redistricting wars rage on On the same day as the South Carolina Senate vote, Democrats also gained slight ground in Alabama.
—Bella Carpentier, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wars
Noun
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For example, will the 60-day process envisaged in the MoU be defined as an extension of the weeks-long ceasefire or a definitive end to hostilities?—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Another Lebanese official, who is briefed throughout the day about the ongoing talks at the Pentagon, also said the delegation would seek comprehensive implementation of the ceasefire and a stop to ongoing hostilities.—
Bassem Mroue,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The chain of islands has become critical to Japan’s defense in the event of armed conflicts between China and Taiwan.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
During a Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority meeting in March, that officer, Eric Osnes, said his team now studies footage of assaults on drivers to learn lessons that may mitigate future conflicts.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
Noun
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The narrative tracks Maurício (Reymond), a retired player striving to establish a new career as an agent in the aggressive football business while managing industry rivalries, family tensions, and the legacy of his past disappointments.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
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The diary was still treated primarily as evidence of motive, evidence about the boys, their rivalries, their jealousy, their emotional states.—
Kate Casey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
Verb
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She is left to care for her partner’s elderly mom who battles Parkinson’s and dementia.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 May 2026
-
An introverted young boxer with incredible ability and skill who battles to overcome low confidence, high anxiety and stage fright in pursuit of her potential.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Tensions between Rian and Patrick flare when Rian drunkenly mentions a brief fling with Shiv, though the film’s clunky edit, which gives little room for the performances to breathe and play out organically within their contexts, makes these frictions feel stilted and juvenile.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
22 May 2026
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Outcomes announced so far also spotlight where daylight and frictions continue to exist.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Ohtani was back to a full starter’s workload for the first time since 2023, even mentioning fatigue in his postgame interview after his second start of the season, and before games was working to address his offensive struggles.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Wembanyama finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in the loss but downplayed any worries about the team’s struggles after the game.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The welcome is relaxed and warm while the flamboyant decor fights to charm you.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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An Army official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said soldiers who were fans of UFC fights and who meet Army standards were given a preference, which the official said is standard practice for such events.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Your dedicated Slack channels, private discords and endless Reddit threads.—
April Uchitel,
Flow Space,
6 Aug. 2025
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In every case, physical science, which is based on the evidence reported by these limited and limiting senses, eventually leaves us stranded with the conviction that sickness, accidents, and disasters – discords of every description, regardless of the apparent cause – are real and inevitable.—
Lisa Rennie Sytsma,
Christian Science Monitor,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wars. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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