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