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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conflict
a lack of agreement or harmony
the siblings always seemed to be at war with one another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in battle
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
only the latest round in the never-ending class war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of war
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025
Snow White, directed by Marc Webb (2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man), has had a long and rocky road to the big screen, having grown into such a culture war target that the studio has made some unusual moves in recent weeks.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Mar. 2025
Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2025
Trapped between warring factions and ruthless killers, the series delves into the emotional struggles of conflicted and flawed characters, each facing trauma, betrayal and life-or-death choices.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for war
Noun
Listen to this article With a trade war escalating, a broad cross-section of employers in Connecticut are slowing down expansion and hiring, and consumers are reining in spending sparked by worries of higher prices.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025
Snow White, directed by Marc Webb (2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man), has had a long and rocky road to the big screen, having grown into such a culture war target that the studio has made some unusual moves in recent weeks.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
Democratic primaries in Bridgeport often decide who is elected to state and local office in that city, and those elections frequently feature warring factions that aggressively pursue absentee voters.
—Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2025
Trapped between warring factions and ruthless killers, the series delves into the emotional struggles of conflicted and flawed characters, each facing trauma, betrayal and life-or-death choices.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for war
Noun
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Security guarantees for Ukraine that are directly tied to the cessation of hostilities can advance all three of these objectives.—
Samuel Charap,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Dec. 2024
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But Israel's military plans for a major offensive in Gaza may reshape the course of the conflict, depending on the outcome of talks and possible further hostilities.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Their conflict reached its end at AEW's Revolution event in March 2025, where Strickland ultimately defeated Ricochet.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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These trade conflicts have triggered worries about stagflation, a combination of stagnant growth and elevated inflation.—
Axios,
Axios,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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After routing 5-seed Villanova 82-54 in the semifinals on Sunday, the Huskies advance to face No. 23 Creighton for a battle between the top two seeds in the conference title game.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2025
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Just last month at the NFL Scouting Combine, GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales stressed the importance of battle in the trenches.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Sympathy for Israelis has dropped in the past few years, as Israel has been led by a hardline right-wing government and, since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, fought a war against the terror group in Gaza with high numbers of casualties.—
Ben Sales,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2025
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Listen to this article Environmental advocates are fighting an energy bill that Democratic leaders say will lower utility bills and further Maryland’s clean energy initiative.—
Rachel McCrea,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Popov has a great feel for the easy warmth coursing between every member of the family, even in moments of strife, and the cast share a fun and comfortable chemistry.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
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That’s likely, in large part, because of the U.S. political environment—President Donald Trump’s flurry of tariffs has given brands and retailers some strife, as have price-sensitive consumers reacting to the president’s policies.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are off the injury report for this game, giving themselves the green light for this rivalry game.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
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Even today, gangsta and drill rappers make headlines right here in Chicago when their music explodes into rivalries and retaliatory murders.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Other development experts contend that foreign aid programs, while imperfect, have still made meaningful progress in improving health, education and freedoms.—
Sarah Stroup,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2025
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The Rays potentially have an elite starting rotation, a top-notch bullpen and enough defense and speed to contend in the American League East.—
John Romano,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Beyond the contributions of our honorees, we are all empowered to be peacemakers – to ease the discord and divisiveness in society today.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
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The party is racked by discord over its position on social issues – especially trans rights and, to an only slightly lesser degree, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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