chemical warfare
noun
: tactical warfare using substances (such as incendiary mixtures, smoke, or gases) with irritant, burning, poisonous, or asphyxiating properties
There were other isolated instances of chemical warfare. The Greeks used a gas attack with sulphur fumes at the siege of Delium in 424 B.C.—
Bernard and Fawn M. Brodie
Bernard and Fawn M. BrodieThe forswearing of chemical warfare by the major combatants in World War II foreshadowed the later nuclear "balance of terror," during the Cold War.—Clifford F. Beal
Clifford F. BealExamples of chemical warfare in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Beginning with widespread use during World War I, sulfur mustard has had a long history of use as a chemical warfare agent.
—New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
The trail links Rocky Flats with the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, land outside of downtown Denver that also was cleaned up after contamination from the manufacture of chemical warfare agents, including mustard gas, for World War II.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Later, in 1989, Israel's high-profile participation in the Paris conference on chemical weapons demonstrated that Israel sided with the international community in its efforts to strengthen the international norm against chemical warfare.
—Avner Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2013
In 1915, the first use of chemical warfare, chlorine gas, was released in the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium during World War I. More than 150 tons of the lethal gas was released onto the French army along the Western Front by the Germans.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
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New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
The trail links Rocky Flats with the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, land outside of downtown Denver that also was cleaned up after contamination from the manufacture of chemical warfare agents, including mustard gas, for World War II.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Later, in 1989, Israel's high-profile participation in the Paris conference on chemical weapons demonstrated that Israel sided with the international community in its efforts to strengthen the international norm against chemical warfare.
—Avner Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2013
In 1915, the first use of chemical warfare, chlorine gas, was released in the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium during World War I. More than 150 tons of the lethal gas was released onto the French army along the Western Front by the Germans.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chemical warfare
Dictionary Entries Near chemical warfare
Cite this Entry
“Chemical warfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemical%20warfare. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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