war of words
noun phrase
: an argument in which people or groups criticize and disagree with each other publicly and repeatedly for usually a long time
Rival groups have engaged in a war of words over the new law.
Examples of war of words in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the same time, the president has also been engaged in a war of words with Mark Carney, Canada’s new Prime Minister, about Canada becoming the 51st state of the U.S.
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Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
What ensued was a war of words with Canada and questions over whether the tariffs would stick, as the U.S.’s northern neighbor threatened to cut off electricity to multiple states and impose a 25 percent surcharge on energy exports.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025
Trump’s visit to California offered telltale signs that the president and the Democratic governor may be able to once again pause their perennial war of words in the press and on social media to work together during times of crisis.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Following a war of words between the two parties, the pair posed for a photo together, which Sharpe published on his social media account at the time.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Mar. 2025
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Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
What ensued was a war of words with Canada and questions over whether the tariffs would stick, as the U.S.’s northern neighbor threatened to cut off electricity to multiple states and impose a 25 percent surcharge on energy exports.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025
Trump’s visit to California offered telltale signs that the president and the Democratic governor may be able to once again pause their perennial war of words in the press and on social media to work together during times of crisis.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Following a war of words between the two parties, the pair posed for a photo together, which Sharpe published on his social media account at the time.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for war of words
Cite this Entry
“War of words.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war%20of%20words. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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