to war
18
5.9
- verb
- /wɔr/
- He is determined to wage war in order to stay in power.
- going to war
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Watch on YouTubeAnd democracies do not war with other democracies.
- And democracies do not war with other democracies.
Examples
-
As tensions rose, they were forced to war to defend their beliefs and protect their way of life.
-
The two nations decided to war over territorial disputes that had lasted for centuries.
-
I know that we're going to war no matter who the president is.
Blog text (8) -
I say it is to wage war by sea, land and air.
-
Did he intend to levy war against the United States?
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The American government is not American, not really, and it wars against its own people as it betrays every principle of democracy.
Blog text (25) -
And democracies do not war with other democracies.
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In a stable republic like the United States, in the 145 years since the end of the Civil War, Americans have managed not to war with each other because we have come to accept implicitly that we handle our disagreements in the arena of politics.
Academic text (2010) -
The leaders gathered to discuss how to war against the increasing threats to their sovereignty.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To take part in a physical or verbal struggle against someone
∞
1.3
To use force to hurt people or damage things
236
3.4
To start fighting in a war between countries or groups
107
6.1
To take part in fighting against an enemy
3
7.7
To take part in a series of military actions
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
1
7.1
Get a small success but lose a bigger long-term goal
Phrasal Verbs
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 Violent
Surface Forms
Etymology
War meaning 'to make war' comes from the same old German word werre for 'strife', so to war is to fight or take part in active conflict.