Skip to main content
to wargame

to wargame

1 6.2
To plan and test responses by acting out likely situations
  • verb
  • /ˈwɔrˌɡeɪm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : planificar
  • Science fiction authors are usually pretty good at wargaming out the possible ramifications of a new piece of technology.

Examples

  • During the strategy meeting, they decided to wargame their response to potential cyber attacks.

  • I have been wargaming for as long as I can remember.

    Blog text (28)
  • There are several ways you can wargame the Electoral College to come up with a Romney win without Ohio.

    Blog text (30)
  • My main interests are wargaming any wars from 1850 onwards, although I have a special interest in Colonial, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II wargaming.

    Blog text (28)
  • The military leaders met regularly to wargame different scenarios for an upcoming conflict.

  • The team spent the afternoon wargaming various approaches to overcome the supply chain crisis.

Synonyms

to game out
vsto wargame
  • Informal
1 7.2

Think about different possible situations to plan what to do

is used to test and rehearse strategies in formal specialized contexts

How Detailed

to wargame
  • Specialized
1 6.2
to simulate
  • Specialized
85 5.4
to rehearse
131 3.5
to plan
1.0
to discuss
1.6

Surface Forms

wargame infinitive
wargamed past
wargamed past participle
wargaming present participle
wargames third person singular

Etymology

Wargame as a verb uses the same parts, war and game, and means to 'play out' a war or plan like a game to see what might happen. So, to wargame is to test or rehearse strategies before using them in real life.