- an object such as a knife, gun, bomb, etc. that is used for fighting or attacking somebody
- Modern nuclear weapons are much more destructive than either biological or chemical weapons.
- a lethal/deadly weapon
- The police still haven't found the murder weapon.
- Police believed the men were carrying weapons.
- She was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon.
- Two officers fired their weapons.
- with a weapon A lone gunman opened fire with an automatic weapon.
Collocations War and peaceWar and peaceStarting a warsee also biological weapon, chemical weapon- declare/make/wage war (on somebody/something)
- go to war (against/with somebody)
- cause/spark/provoke/foment/quell unrest
- incite/lead/crush/suppress a revolt/rebellion
- launch/mount/carry out a surprise/terrorist attack
- prevent/halt/represent an escalation of the conflict
- be torn apart by/be on the brink of civil war
- enter/invade/occupy somebody’s territory
- lead/launch/resist/repel an invasion
- adopt/develop/implement/pursue a military strategy
- carry out/execute/perform military operations/manoeuvres
- send/deploy/station/pull back/withdraw troops
- go on/fly/carry out a reconnaissance/rescue mission
- train/equip/deploy army/military/combat units
- lead/launch/conduct a raid/a surprise attack/an (air/airborne/amphibious) assault (on somebody)
- employ/use guerrilla tactics
- conduct/wage biological/guerrilla warfare
- fight/crush/defeat the rebels/the insurgency
- suffer/inflict a crushing defeat
- achieve/win a decisive victory
- halt/stop the British/German/Russian advance
- order/force a retreat
- join/serve in the army/navy/air force
- be/go/remain/serve on active duty
- serve/complete/return from a tour of duty
- be sent to the front (line)
- attack/strike/engage/defeat/kill/destroy the enemy
- see/report/be engaged in heavy fighting
- call for/be met with armed resistance
- come under heavy/machine-gun/mortar fire
- fire a machine-gun/mortar shells/rockets (at somebody/something)
- shoot a rifle/a pistol/bullets/missiles
- launch/fire a cruise/ballistic/anti-tank missile
- use biological/chemical/nuclear weapons
- inflict/suffer/sustain heavy losses/casualties
- be hit/killed by enemy/friendly/artillery fire
- become/be held as a prisoner of war
- harm/kill/target/protect innocent/unarmed civilians
- cause/avoid/limit/minimize civilian casualties/collateral damage
- impose/enforce/lift a curfew
- engage in/be a victim of ethnic cleansing
- be sent to an internment/a concentration camp
- accept/house/resettle refugees fleeing from war
- fear/threaten military/violent reprisals
- commit/be accused of war crimes/crimes against humanity/genocide
- make/bring/win/achieve/maintain/promote peace
- call for/negotiate/broker/declare a ceasefire/a temporary truce
- sign a ceasefire agreement
- call for/bring/put an end to hostilities
- demand/negotiate/accept the surrender of somebody/something
- establish/send (in) a peacekeeping force
- negotiate/conclude/ratify/sign/accept/reject/break/violate a peace treaty
Extra ExamplesTopics War and conflictb1, Crime and punishmentb1- ‘Load your weapons!’ Barrett ordered.
- A massive weapons cache was uncovered.
- Drop your weapons, or he dies!
- He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
- She pleaded guilty to carrying an offensive weapon.
- The armed men lowered their weapons and stepped aside.
- The assault forces used heavy weapons, including anti-tank rockets and mortars.
- The guards began to draw their weapons.
- a ban on the use of tactical nuclear weapons
- arrested for carrying a concealed weapon
- nuclear weapons proliferation
- states that have acquired nuclear weapons
- the illegal transfer of weapons technology to hostile countries
- 14 people were killed when men armed with automatic weapons opened fire on the crowd.
- Almost any bladed or sharply pointed article is potentially a lethal weapon.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- deadly
- lethal
- potent
- …
- be armed with
- carry
- have
- …
- system
- technology
- cache
- …
- weapon against
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- something such as knowledge, words, actions, etc. that can be used to attack or fight against somebody/something
- Education is the only weapon to fight the spread of the disease.
- Guilt is the secret weapon for the control of children.
Extra Examples- She used humour and wit as weapons against her enemies.
- The team's secret weapon was their new young defender.
- The workers' ultimate weapon was the strike.
- This relaxation technique can serve as an effective weapon against stress.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- deadly
- lethal
- potent
- …
- be armed with
- carry
- have
- …
- system
- technology
- cache
- …
- weapon against
Word OriginOld English wǣp(e)n, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wapen and German Waffe.
Idioms
See weapon in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee weapon in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishbe a double-edged/two-edged sword/weapon
- to be something that has both advantages and disadvantages
- Fame is a double-edged sword.
Check pronunciation:
weapon