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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conflicts
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 rivalries
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wars
Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2026
The current conflict is sometimes referred to as the Third Gulf War, but is distinctive from the earlier two wars in important respects, including so far relying on executive authority alone.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Today, mindful of the most recent wars, mindful of all the atrocities com-mitted, this happy fantasy has lost its charm, death has lost its innocence, pain its magnitude, irreversible.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Like, why are there, and why have there been, so many wars in so many places?
—Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The gang wars, along with the self-defense groups that have popped up in response, have turned the region into a hotbed of terror for rural farmers.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
How many men were drafted during major wars?
—George Petras, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
The Church of the Holy Speluchre has historically remained open to clergy even during major crises, including past wars and pandemics, making Palm Sunday’s restriction a rare flashpoint in already strained relations between Israel and the Vatican.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
Presidents have historically leaned on their national security officials to inform the public about their wars.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
One source likened it to Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the beverages industry or McDonald’s and Burger King in the burger wars.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2026
The current conflict is sometimes referred to as the Third Gulf War, but is distinctive from the earlier two wars in important respects, including so far relying on executive authority alone.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Today, mindful of the most recent wars, mindful of all the atrocities com-mitted, this happy fantasy has lost its charm, death has lost its innocence, pain its magnitude, irreversible.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Like, why are there, and why have there been, so many wars in so many places?
—Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The gang wars, along with the self-defense groups that have popped up in response, have turned the region into a hotbed of terror for rural farmers.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
How many men were drafted during major wars?
—George Petras, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
The Church of the Holy Speluchre has historically remained open to clergy even during major crises, including past wars and pandemics, making Palm Sunday’s restriction a rare flashpoint in already strained relations between Israel and the Vatican.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
Presidents have historically leaned on their national security officials to inform the public about their wars.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wars
Noun
-
After all, a bit more than a decade later, hostilities would explode anew in the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, during which Nasser shut the canal again.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The exception, of course, is the oil companies that get a free ride off the hostilities.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in recent years, the glittering spectacle, meant to celebrate unity, has been overshadowed by global conflicts which have seeped onto the stage.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Escalating geopolitical conflicts have disrupted oil flows and contributed to a surge in gas prices in the past.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Others are places of conflict caused by rivalries between countries or peoples, disputes over national resources, or disagreements about the past.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
If festive pride persists, it is no longer connected to a country, empire, culture, or race, but the unique traditions of individual municipalities, pitted against one another in fierce but friendly, sportsmanlike rivalries.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The series ran from 1993 to 2001 and followed Ranger Cordell Walker, a Texas lawman who battles crime with a black belt and strong personal code.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
As fans debate whether to renew now, there is again a question mark hanging over the club, as Pereira battles to lead Forest clear of the threat of relegation.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All these films directed by Arab women are about the unique schisms and frictions of the Arab world, and all of them allow Bakri to communicate the process of choice — a privilege that so many people, especially Palestinians, usually aren’t afforded but that Bakri’s characters insist upon.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
In more recent times, civil-military frictions have consisted almost entirely of civilian leaders pushing the military up to or over the bounds of traditional decorum or even the law.—
Kori Schake,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The committee will share the information with parents and staff on which campuses would be closed and more details on consolidation amid increasing financial struggles.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Screens in education are one factor increasingly under scrutiny as educators and parents search for explanations for this generation’s academic struggles, which became most pronounced during COVID-19 but have lingered even after years back in the physical classroom.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Blaydes fights Josh Hokit on the main card of UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of fighting fire with fire, Lamont fights fire with facts.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Your dedicated Slack channels, private discords and endless Reddit threads.—
April Uchitel,
Flow Space,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wars. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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