often attributive
1
a(1)
: a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations
(2)
: a period of such armed conflict
(3)
b
: the art or science of warfare
c(1)
obsolete
: weapons and equipment for war
(2)
archaic
: soldiers armed and equipped for war
2
a
: a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism
b
: a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end
a class war
a war against disease
c
warred; warring
Synonyms
Examples of war in a Sentence
Noun
They fought a war over the disputed territory.
A war broke out when the colonists demanded their independence.
We need to resolve our conflicts without resorting to war.
People behave differently during a time of war.
The taking of American hostages was seen as an act of war by the United States.
the budget wars in Washington
Verb (1)
continually warring against their neighbors in an effort to expand their territory
Recent Examples on the Web
Trefis Team, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
The barb would elicit responses from both Drake and J. Cole, with J. Cole bowing out early, leaving the rhyme war focused squarely on Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
Despite the many hands involved, this first episode of Dune: Prophecy makes the conservative choice to follow the Villeneuve visual template (if not the audio one) and build it out into a Game of Thrones–style series of warring houses and interstellar political intrigue.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for war 
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Noun
Firstly, prices for gold and silver have been rising this year, driven by easing inflation, uncertain remarks by the Fed, and geopolitical concerns given the ongoing wars between Russia - Ukraine.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
The barb would elicit responses from both Drake and J. Cole, with J. Cole bowing out early, leaving the rhyme war focused squarely on Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Several warring factions exist within the Zone, as well as lone bandits and stalkers.
—Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
Despite the many hands involved, this first episode of Dune: Prophecy makes the conservative choice to follow the Villeneuve visual template (if not the audio one) and build it out into a Game of Thrones–style series of warring houses and interstellar political intrigue.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for war
Dictionary Entries Near war
Cite this Entry
“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
war
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a state or period of armed hostile conflict between states, nations, or groups
b
: the science of warfare
2
a
: a state of hostility, antagonism, or conflict
b
: a struggle between opposing forces or for a particular goal
a war on disease
war
2 of 2 verb
warred; warring
1
: to engage in warfare
warring nations
2
: to be in conflict
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