war

1 of 4

noun

ˈwȯr How to pronounce war (audio)
often attributive
Synonyms of warnext
1
a(1)
: a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations
(2)
: a period of such armed conflict
(3)
: state of war
b
: the art or science of warfare
c(1)
obsolete : weapons and equipment for war
(2)
archaic : soldiers armed and equipped for war
2
a
: a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism
b
: a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end
a class war
a war against disease
c
: variance, odds sense 2
warless
ˈwȯr-ləs How to pronounce war (audio)
adjective

war

2 of 4

verb (1)

ˈwȯr How to pronounce war (audio)
warred; warring

intransitive verb

1
: to be in active or vigorous conflict
2
: to engage in warfare

war

3 of 4

adverb or adjective

ˈwär How to pronounce war (audio)
chiefly Scotland
: worse

war

4 of 4

verb (2)

ˈwär How to pronounce war (audio)
warred; warring

transitive verb

Scotland
: worst, overcome

Synonyms

Noun

Verb (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of war in a Sentence

Noun They fought a war over the disputed territory. A war broke out when the colonists demanded their independence. We need to resolve our conflicts without resorting to war.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
With Donald Trump waging a war on the news media, one of D.C. media’s longest running dinner events ended the night by toasting the First Amendment, bypassing the traditional nod to the president of the United States. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025 After the war, Grade moved to the United States and wrote some of the best novels in the Yiddish language, all woefully little known. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
Now the autoplays look like actual militaries, warring, attacking, killing independents quickly and efficiently. — Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025 Crystal ball news shows 6 ways media will war with Trump one more time. — Fox News, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for war

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English werre, from Anglo-French werre, guerre, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German werra strife; akin to Old High German werran to confuse

Adverb or adjective

Middle English werre, from Old Norse verri, adjective, verr, adverb; akin to Old English wiersa worse — more at worse

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb Or Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of war was in the 12th century

Phrases Containing war

Rhymes for war

See All Rhymes for war

Browse Nearby Words

war
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

war

1 of 2 noun
ˈwȯ(ə)r How to pronounce war (audio)
1
a
: a state or period of armed hostile conflict between states, nations, or groups
b
: the science of warfare
2
a
: a state of hostility, antagonism, or conflict
b
: a struggle between opposing forces or for a particular goal
a war on disease

war

2 of 2 verb
warred; warring
1
: to engage in warfare
warring nations
2
: to be in conflict

More from Merriam-Webster on war

Nglish: Translation of war for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about war

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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