war
700
2.9
- noun
- /wɔr/
- You sound like a guy who's fighting a war alone.
- war on terror
- war on drugs
- culture wars
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Watch on YouTubeI mean that this war on jokes must end.
- I mean that this war on jokes must end.
- We're going to use this war to sell you a bike.
- And help meant going to war against Scott, the boss.
- Alexander, I have been fighting this war alone for so long.
- So stepping back from the culture wars, what's really going on?
- You sound like a guy who's fighting a war alone.
- The CI as secret war plans against WikiLeaks.
- I find this idea of a discursive war quite intriguing.
- And it goes on hunger wars with stubborn hope.
- It's like sending the bees to war or many don't come back.
Examples
-
In response to the attacks, the administration launched a "global war on terror."
Academic text (2011) -
Mexico's drug war is the great shadow hanging over the southern side of the border.
Academic text (2011) -
For years now I have been in a war with marketing people.
-
I mean that this war on jokes must end.
-
Or, to be more precise, the war against those who build the wrong machines.
Fiction book (1991) -
And if we can eliminate war, why have no societies done so?
Academic text (2011) -
"There will be an end to war," the voice seemed to say, with gentle patience.
Fiction book (1990) -
Is it possible there is a secret war being waged over the Internet?
-
Mayor Durant is about to take to the stage and introduce Detroit's newest weapon in the war on crime.
-
The city has declared a war on illegal parking, introducing stricter fines and regulations.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A physical struggle between people or groups, like a boxing match
84
5.0
Groups or companies compete strongly to gain power
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
1
7.1
Get a small success but lose a bigger long-term goal
Compounds
234
3.5
A long period of political and military tension between the United States and the Soviet Union without direct fighting
166
3.2
A war in 1990–1991 when many countries led by the United States forced Iraq out of Kuwait
128
4.2
A long war in Vietnam between communist North Vietnam supported by China and South Vietnam supported by the United States
- Specialized
50
6.4
A person who does very serious illegal acts during a war, like killing civilians
42
3.7
A 1950 to 1953 war between North and South Korea with the United Nations, China, and the Soviet Union
41
2.8
A large war in Europe from 1914 to 1918 between many countries, also called World War I
- NSFW
41
3.7
A fight by police and government against illegal drugs and people who make or sell them
27
3.7
A war from 1775 to 1783 when thirteen American colonies fought Britain for independence
- Offensive
25
6.7
A set of actions and laws that harm or limit women's rights, especially in politics and society
22
3.4
A 1990–1991 war when Iraq invaded Kuwait and a US-led group fought to push out Iraqi troops
- Archaic
13
8.6
Person in charge of the United States Army until 1947 when the job moved to the Secretary of Defense
- Formal
13
6.7
A former United States office that managed the army, now part of the Department of Defense
- Formal
13
7.7
Special authority the government uses during war to do things beyond normal limits
12
4.9
A supply of money kept to pay for a planned activity like a political campaign or takeover
11
3.0
A war in the United States from 1861 to 1865 between the North and South over slavery and states' rights
11
6.0
A war between the United States and Britain from 1812 to 1814 over trade limits and taking American sailors
- Literature
10
5.3
A journalist who reports news from battle areas for newspapers or TV
10
5.8
A war between Iran and Iraq from 1980 to 1988 over control of the Shatt al-Arab waterway
9
4.4
A civil war in Spain from 1936 to 1939 when General Franco overthrew the government
8
4.9
A 1898 war between the United States and Spain that gave the US Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines
- Literature
6
7.6
A war fought by smaller countries but started or supported by larger powers that do not fight directly
6
5.8
A 1898 war between the United States and Spain that gives U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines
5
5.7
A short war in June 1967 between Israel and nearby Arab countries that changed control of land
5
5.5
A war between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 that gave the United States new lands
- Specialized
4
7.8
A long-term illness affecting people who served in the 1991 Gulf War that causes tiredness, headaches, stomach and breathing problems
4
3.2
Companies lower prices to compete and attract customers, often causing lower profits
3
7.9
One of two wars in South Africa between the British and settlers from Dutch families in 1880-1881 or 1899-1902
- Literature
3
8.4
A claim that some people are trying to stop public Christmas celebrations
3
5.9
A war in the United States from 1861 to 1865 between northern and southern states
3
7.2
A 1973 war when Egypt and Syria made a surprise attack on Israel during the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur
- Offensive
2
9.2
A secret campaign by a government against suspected opponents using kidnapping, torture, and murder
2
7.5
A war fought from 1853 to 1856 in Crimea between Russia and Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia
2
5.2
A war between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 that gave the United States large Southwest lands
2
7.5
A series of civil wars in England between Lancaster and York for the throne in the 1400s
2
5.8
A war in June 1967 that lasted six days between Israel and nearby Arab countries and changed the region
- Specialized
2
7.1
A war fought to reach small, certain goals without trying to destroy the enemy
2
7.9
A long series of wars between England and France from 1337 to 1453 over who should be king of France
2
7.8
A contest using pressure and fear to weaken the other side without physical fighting
How Serious
Surface Forms
Etymology
War is used for a strong, organized fight without guns because it comes from that old word for 'strife' and 'confusion'. That's why people call a big campaign a 'war' on drugs or a 'war' on climate change when they mean a serious effort against a problem.