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
For 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
2
: 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

Examples of World War III in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The most tenuous part of a possible World War III is the potential that the conflict escalates to a nuclear detonation. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 Preparing for World War III also means understanding the opportunities global conflict creates for your company. Bryce Hoffman, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 But contrary to the claim in the post's caption, the article did not characterize the move as the start of World War III. Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024 Warns Biden wants to start World War III Bernie Sanders agrees with Elon MUSK, slams Pentagon for failing 7th audit: 'Waste and fraud' Did Eric Adams just try out for a position in the Trump administration on The View?! The Hill, 2 Dec. 2024 Read more Steve Bannon Putin Ally Responds to Biden's Ukraine Missile Plan: 'This Is Already WWIII' Could Biden's Ukraine Missile Move Trigger World War III? Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 The admission of Ukraine into NATO could lead to World War III, the former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said Medvedev was Russia's head of state between 2008 and 2012 and now serves as the deputy chairman of the country's Security Council. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024 Others foresee not World War III but a slew of separate conflicts scattered around the globe. Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024 Trump, who asserts the U.S. is on the brink of World War III, has pulled the GOP in a more isolationist direction in recent years and has been skeptical of additional U.S. aid to Ukraine. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of World War III was in 1940

Cite this Entry

“World War III.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/World%20War%20III. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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