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
Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
One such project, Hideouts: The Architecture of Survival, examined nine hiding places used by Jews during the war.
—Natalia Romik / Madę By History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
Ahmad al-Shara, Syria’s new de facto leader, faces the challenge of imposing order on a country that has been devastated by 14 years of civil war that split it into multiple warring regions and spurred a proliferation of armed groups.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for war 
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.
Noun
In the early days of the war, Israel ordered a mass evacuation of northern Gaza and quickly sealed off the area after ground troops advanced.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
One such project, Hideouts: The Architecture of Survival, examined nine hiding places used by Jews during the war.
—Natalia Romik / Madę By History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
Popular on Variety In another, Alex and Edith (real-life actor and theater instructor Alexander Diego and puppeteer Edith Ybarra Clara) struggle with making their relationship work amid their warring ambitions and life circumstances.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
Ahmad al-Shara, Syria’s new de facto leader, faces the challenge of imposing order on a country that has been devastated by 14 years of civil war that split it into multiple warring regions and spurred a proliferation of armed groups.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
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 1 Feb. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share