war 1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯr How to pronounce war (audio)
Definition of warnext
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

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2
as in conflict
a lack of agreement or harmony the siblings always seemed to be at war with one another

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in battle
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another only the latest round in the never-ending class war

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war

2 of 2

verb

as in to fight

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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 war
Noun
Administration officials are absolutely clueless, sloppy and incompetent. — Joe Szczepaniak, Wheaton War is not a game I am sickened by the emoji used by those in top government positions (and then some) in the unclassified text thread about war plans and execution of those plans. — Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025 But war and instability raged across swathes of the nation, especially in rural areas. — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Dozens of police officers stood in the narrow gap between the warring groups. — Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025 Now the autoplays look like actual militaries, warring, attacking, killing independents quickly and efficiently. — Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for war
  1. hostilities
  2. conflict
  3. battle
  4. fight
  5. strife
  6. rivalry
  7. contend
  8. discord
Noun
  • Security guarantees for Ukraine that are directly tied to the cessation of hostilities can advance all three of these objectives.
    — Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
  • But Israel's military plans for a major offensive in Gaza may reshape the course of the conflict, depending on the outcome of talks and possible further hostilities.
    — Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of hostilities
Noun
  • North Korea has sent approximately 11,000 military personnel to fight alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine in its first involvement in a large-scale conflict since the 1950-53 Korean War.
    — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • North Korea has sent approximately 11,000 military personnel to fight in the war against Ukraine, in its first involvement in a large-scale conflict since the 1950-53 Korean War, and the Joint Chiefs assessed that around 4,000 of them have been killed or wounded.
    — Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • Kilmer's passing comes after years of public and private health struggles, most notably his long battle with throat cancer.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Despite being a nonpartisan race, the Badger State contest served as a national proxy battle for Democratic officials and progressive groups, who are grasping at any glimmer of hope amid Trump 2.0's dominance in Washington that has expanded to other parts of the country and culture.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of battle
Verb
  • In 2017, the administration fought hard and communicated clearly.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • While there is no vaccine to prevent the common cold nor a specific medicine to cure it, there are ways to manage your symptoms while your body fights the illness.
    — Lauren Schlanger, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of fight
Noun
  • President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica, whose government has historically gone to great lengths to uphold itself as neutral in regional conflicts and strife, also allowed U.S. migrant flights to land in his country.
    — Lomi Kriel, ProPublica, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The 1996 Met was a bit of a Diana 2.0 emergence—by December 1996, her contentious divorce from then-Prince Charles had been finalized for just over three months, following a four-year separation (and plenty of marital strife before that).
    — Rachel Burchfield, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of strife
Noun
  • Ricky Steamboat From Clash Of The Champions 6 The intense rivalry between Ricky Steamboat and Flair produced some of the most celebrated matches in professional wrestling history.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • But in China, it is seen as a prime battleground in the U.S.-China rivalry.
    — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of rivalry
Verb
  • Shortly before the end of Biden’s term in January, the Department of Education issued a fact sheet contending that Title IX applies to colleges’ direct payments to athletes reflecting revenue share/NIL.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The organization, which has paid the tax since 1972, contends that its work is rooted in Catholic values and mission and that the state is unfairly judging what counts as religious activity.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of contend
Noun
  • Earlier this month, discord within the party broke out after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) voted along with nine other Senate Democrats and one House Democrat to approve a House GOP funding measure in an effort to avoid a government shutdown.
    — Julia Manchester, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
  • From taking your lighting to Clark Griswold-status to planting a towering oak smack dab on the property line, there are plenty of ways your garden can cause discord among the neighbors in record time.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of discord

Phrases Containing war

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wants
war
war (against)
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Cite this Entry

“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

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