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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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
The bacteria is found all over the world, but is most common in developing countries and in crowded or unhygienic conditions, such as refugee camps, areas hit by natural disasters or war, schools and daycare centers. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 The wars severely tarnished the United States’ global reputation and left a generation of Americans skeptical that the country could be a force for good in the world. — Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
Written and directed by Denmark’s Oscar-winning Anders Thomas Jensen, its warring brothers are played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Mads Mikkelsen. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026 Silicon Valley’s warring factions are pouring money into congressional primaries. — Nitasha Tiku, Washington Post, 23 May 2026 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. warfare
Noun
  • The October 2025 cease-fire plan freed the last remaining Israeli hostages and ostensibly ended hostilities, but Israel continues to constantly strike targets in Gaza, often killing civilians, including some 300 children in the past year.
    — KHALED ELGINDY, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some of the Middle Eastern countries still maintain interests that are driving the conflict, while other outside actors don’t seem able to muster the leverage to persuade warring parties to cease hostilities.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostilities
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
  • Still, when the measles outbreak erupted, Bangladesh responded swiftly and initially seemed to be winning the battle.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Policy Policy Your guide to the Supreme Court, federal courts, judicial nominations, and the legal battles shaping American policy.
    — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • The rebels urged their forces to continue fighting and called on Tigrayans to support them.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • North Korean engineers have learned from time spent working in Russia’s massive Yelabuga drone factory, and North Korean forces fighting alongside Russia have gained firsthand experience in integrating drones into modern combat.
    — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Attorney General James Uthmeier is bringing plenty of strife to Discord, the messaging and gaming platform.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Australia was in strife at 124-6 on day one but his 190 turned the momentum.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of strife
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
Verb
  • State officials contend the walkout is unlawful because the union failed to exempt employees deemed essential to public safety and is not properly engaging in mediations due to the call for a one-day strike.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Netflix film, which premiered at New York Film Festival earlier this month, is one of 10 Oscar-contending feature documentaries included in Doc Stories’ lineup.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of contend
Noun
  • Needless to say, the system has to be robust enough to handle battlefield conditions, including electronic warfare and communications blackouts.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Electronic warfare can create additional challenges for systems that depend on wireless links.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of warfare

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 19 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on war

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about war

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