World War III
noun
1
: a hypothetical future world war
Among the citizens of these two countries, the suspicion exists that in the event of World War III their lands will pass unnoticed and unscathed …—
Gordon Ackerman
Gordon AckermanFor years legislators have gone through the motions, knowing that nothing would change. This year they can't be so sure. "Until we have a vote, I'm not moving off this for the budget or World War III," John McCain told me.—Jonathan Alter
Jonathan Alter2
: a major fight or disagreement : a situation in which people are very angry with one another
You instigate World War III when he tells you he wants to go to Hooters with his old frat buddies.—Julie Taylor
Julie TaylorExamples of World War III in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The risk is of a new wave of nuclear proliferation, with a larger number of nuclear powers increasing the chance of either intentional or accidental use of atomic weapons—if not World War III.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
With Kristen Bell and Adam Brody Movies Oscar Winner Alejandro Amenábar on Miguel de Cervantes Film and His World War III Fears
In recent years, the Red Bull team has consistently dominated, handing Verstappen four back-to-back World Drivers’ Championships.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
In an extraordinary meeting that was broadcast live on Friday, Trump accused Zelenskyy of being ungrateful for U.S. aid, of showing disrespect to his country and of risking World War III, casting into doubt Washington's ongoing support for Ukraine in its three-year-long war with Russia.
—Reuters, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Trump told the cocaine clown the truth to his face for the first time: the Kiev regime is playing with World War III.
—Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Carl verifies them seconds before President Mitchell is to announce the retaliatory strike against Russia, just barely swerving the United States off the road to World War III.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Moscow immediately responded to the U.S. and British greenlights with another round of threats to start World War III, and hit the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile.
—Ian Bremmer, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
The defense consultant Serge Willoughby plays a prank on his host at a Georgetown party that completely backfires to the point that not only is the host arrested but also skirmishing between the United States and China begins and World War III looms.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
In contrast, after World War II, the United States maintained peacetime alliances in Eurasia, ultimately defeating Soviet communism without triggering World War III, and providing the security foundation for an unprecedented surge in global prosperity and democracy.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
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Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
With Kristen Bell and Adam Brody Movies Oscar Winner Alejandro Amenábar on Miguel de Cervantes Film and His World War III Fears
In recent years, the Red Bull team has consistently dominated, handing Verstappen four back-to-back World Drivers’ Championships.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
In an extraordinary meeting that was broadcast live on Friday, Trump accused Zelenskyy of being ungrateful for U.S. aid, of showing disrespect to his country and of risking World War III, casting into doubt Washington's ongoing support for Ukraine in its three-year-long war with Russia.
—Reuters, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Trump told the cocaine clown the truth to his face for the first time: the Kiev regime is playing with World War III.
—Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Carl verifies them seconds before President Mitchell is to announce the retaliatory strike against Russia, just barely swerving the United States off the road to World War III.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Moscow immediately responded to the U.S. and British greenlights with another round of threats to start World War III, and hit the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile.
—Ian Bremmer, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
The defense consultant Serge Willoughby plays a prank on his host at a Georgetown party that completely backfires to the point that not only is the host arrested but also skirmishing between the United States and China begins and World War III looms.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
In contrast, after World War II, the United States maintained peacetime alliances in Eurasia, ultimately defeating Soviet communism without triggering World War III, and providing the security foundation for an unprecedented surge in global prosperity and democracy.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“World War III.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/World%20War%20III. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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