often attributive
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)
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
warred; warring
Synonyms
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.
People behave differently during a time of war.
The taking of American hostages was seen as an act of war by the United States.
the budget wars in Washington
Verb (1)
continually warring against their neighbors in an effort to expand their territory
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
This was a generation whose development took place in the long shadow of World War II, in the midst of the intense opposition to the American war in Vietnam, and against the backdrop of the increasingly widespread recognition of pervasive social injustice at home and abroad.
—David A. Ross, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025
Tom O'Connor, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
At San Quentin, prison officials are focused on improving relations between officers and prisoners, two historically warring factions in a violent system unaccustomed to change.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for war 
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Noun
Foreign direct investment in India had dropped by an astonishing 43 percent in the preceding year, partly thanks to high borrowing costs and unease about the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
This was a generation whose development took place in the long shadow of World War II, in the midst of the intense opposition to the American war in Vietnam, and against the backdrop of the increasingly widespread recognition of pervasive social injustice at home and abroad.
—David A. Ross, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
Since winning the election, the president-elect has continued to signal doubts as to the utility of maintaining U.S. troops in the crosshairs of multiple warring factions.
—Tom O'Connor, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
At San Quentin, prison officials are focused on improving relations between officers and prisoners, two historically warring factions in a violent system unaccustomed to change.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for war
Dictionary Entries Near war
Cite this Entry
“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
war
1 of 2 noun1
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
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