Synonyms for

War

Verb / wɔ:r / Another word for war — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a state of armed conflict between nations, states or societies

Synonyms & similar words

stateofwar peace warfare makepeace conflict battle fighting combat hostility clash struggle confrontation campaign skirmish contest warfare engagement conflagration assault offensive raid invasion

Synonyms by register

Formal

conflict hostilities armed conflict belligerence

Informal

scrap dust-up fracas brawl

Literary

strife feud carnage

Antonyms

peace harmony truce accord calm quiet rest

Common collocations

  • declare war
  • wage war
  • end of the war
  • going to war
  • civil war
  • world war
  • war effort
  • war zone

Word family

noun war
verb war
adjective warlike
adverb warringly

Usage note

While 'war' can refer to any intense conflict, it most commonly refers to large-scale armed conflict between nations or groups. 'Wartime' is often used to describe the period during which a war is taking place.

Example sentences

  1. The country went to war to defend its borders.
  2. The soldiers fought bravely in the war.
  3. Many people died in the war.
  4. The war caused a lot of destruction.
  5. The war ended with a peace treaty.

Quotes

  • The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. - Sun Tzu
  • In war, there are no unwounded soldiers. - Jose Narosky
  • Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die. - Herbert Hoover

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