war

/wɔ:/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A state of armed conflict between different nations, states, or groups: "War" refers to a period of large-scale, organized fighting involving the use of weapons and military forces.
    • A sustained campaign against an undesirable situation or activity: "War" can also describe a vigorous, concerted effort to end something harmful, such as crime or disease.
    • A state of competition, conflict, or hostility between different people or groups: "War" can be used metaphorically to describe any intense struggle or rivalry.
  2. Verb:

    • To engage in an armed conflict: To fight a war.
    • To contend or struggle vigorously: To be in a state of conflict or opposition.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:

    • The country has not been involved in a major war for decades.
    • The government declared a war on drugs to combat addiction.
    • There is a constant war between the two companies for market dominance.
  • Verb:

    • The two tribes warred against each other for control of the valley. (archaic/formal)
    • The factions have been warring for years over the disputed territory.
Advanced Usage
  • "To be at war": To be in a state of active, open armed conflict.
    • The two nations have been at war for three years.
  • "To declare war on/against": To formally announce the beginning of a state of war.
    • The congress voted to declare war on the aggressor.
  • "War of attrition": A prolonged conflict in which each side tries to wear the other down through continuous losses.
    • The battle turned into a grueling war of attrition.
  • "War of words": A fierce argument or exchange of angry statements.
    • The debate escalated into a bitter war of words between the candidates.
Variants and Related Words
  • Warfare (n): The actual process, techniques, or methods of fighting a war.
    • Guerrilla warfare was used effectively by the rebels.
  • Warlike (adj): Aggressively disposed; ready for or suggesting war.
    • The warlike rhetoric increased tensions.
  • Warrior (n): A person engaged or experienced in warfare; a fighter.
    • The ancient warriors were highly respected.
  • Warring (adj): Engaged in a war or conflict.
    • The two warring factions agreed to a ceasefire.
Synonyms
  • Conflict: A serious disagreement or struggle.
  • Combat: Active fighting between armed forces.
  • Hostilities: Acts of warfare.
  • Struggle: A forceful effort to get free or to achieve something.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
  • War on/against (something): A concerted effort to eradicate something.
    • The mayor launched a war on potholes in the city streets.
  • War over (something): To fight or contend for control of something.
    • The siblings warred over their father's inheritance.
Related Idioms
  • All's fair in love and war: In intense, competitive situations, any action is acceptable.
    • He stole my client, but I guess all's fair in love and war.
  • Have been in the wars (informal): To be injured or look battered, as if from fighting.
    • After the rugby match, he looked like he'd been in the wars.
  • A tug of war: A contest in which two sides pull against each other on a rope; any intense struggle for supremacy.
    • There was a political tug of war over the new legislation.
Noun
  1. a concerted campaign to end something that is injurious
    • the war on poverty
    • the war against crime
  2. an active struggle between competing entities
    • a price war
    • a war of wits
    • diplomatic warfare
  3. a legal state created by a declaration of war and ended by official declaration during which the international rules of war apply
    • war was declared in November but actual fighting did not begin until the following spring
  4. the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
    • thousands of people were killed in the war
Verb
  1. make or wage war