- 1[uncountable, singular] a situation or a period of time in which there is no war or violence in a country or an area war and peace peace talks/negotiations The negotiators are trying to make peace between the warring factions. A UN force has been sent to keep the peace (= to prevent people from fighting). After years of war, the people long for a lasting peace. the Peace of Utrecht, 1713 (= the agreement ending the war) The two communities live together in peace. The countries have been at peace for more than a century. the peace movement (= that tries to prevent war by protesting, persuading politicians, etc.) Topic CollocationsWar and Peacestarting a war
- declare/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/maneuvers
- 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 an (air/airborne/amphibious) attack/a surprise attack (on somebody); an assault/a raid (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 American/German advance
- order/force a retreat
- join/serve in the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines/Coast Guard/reserves
- be/go/remain/serve on active duty
- do/complete/return from a tour of duty
- be sent to the front (line)
- attack/strike/engage/defeat/kill/destroy the enemy
- witness/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(n) 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/be taken 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 a concentration/an internment camp
- accept/house/resettle/turn away 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
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- 2[uncountable] the state of being calm or quiet She lay back and enjoyed the peace of the summer evening. I would work better if I had some peace and quiet. He just wants to be left in peace (= not to be disturbed). I need to check that she is all right, just for my own peace of mind (= so that I do not have to worry). He never felt really at peace with himself. (law) They were charged with disturbing the peace (= behaving in a noisy and violent way).
- 3[uncountable] the state of living in friendship with someone without arguing They simply can't seem to live in peace with each other. She felt at peace with the world. see Justice of the Peace Idioms
to say nothing although you would like to give your opinion
to end an argument with someone, usually by saying you are sorry He made peace with his brother when their father was dying.
used when someone is complaining that they have a lot of work to do
- The noun peace can be used to talk about a peaceful state or situation:world peace I just need some peace and quiet.Peacefulness is not a common word. It means “the quality of being peaceful.”
Check pronunciation: peace