declare war

idiom

: to officially decide to fight or go to war
Congress has the power to declare war on/against other countries.
often used figuratively
The state has declared war on illiteracy.

Examples of declare war in a Sentence

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With a surprisingly high 12,000Pa suction power, this model will declare war on all types of dirt in your home, even if it's embedded in your carpets. Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 8 Oct. 2024 The Constitution’s authors believed the congressional power to declare war was the crown jewel that would save the nation from dictatorship and self-ruination. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2024 Although the president is the commander in chief, the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war. Sarah Binder, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2024 Congress has given away its power to declare war to the president, handing over the ability to take the nation from a state of peace to a state of belligerency or co-belligerency. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for declare war 

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Cite this Entry

“Declare war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declare%20war. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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