- 1[uncountable, countable] a situation in which two or more countries or groups of people fight against each other over a period of time World War II the threat of (a) nuclear war to win/lose a/the war the war between England and the American Colonies England's war with/against the American Colonies It was the year Britain declared war on Germany. Social and political problems led to the outbreak (= the beginning) of war. Where were you living when war broke out? The government does not want to go to war (= start a war) unless all other alternatives have failed. How long have they been at war? a war hero (formal) The Greeks waged war on Troy for ten years. Her husband was killed during the war. More troops are being dispatched to the war zone. (formal) the theater of war (= the area in which fighting takes place) see civil war, cold war, postwar, prisoner of war, warring, world war
- 2[countable, uncountable] a situation in which there is aggressive competition between groups, companies, countries, etc. the class war a trade war see price war
- 3[uncountable, singular] war (against/on somebody/something) a fight or an effort over a long period of time to get rid of or stop something unpleasant The government has declared war on drug dealers. We seem to be winning the war against crime. Thesauruscampaign
- battle
- struggle
- drive
- war
- fight
- campaign a series of planned activities that are intended to achieve a particular social, commercial, or political aim:the campaign for health care reform an advertising campaign
- battle a competition or argument between people or groups of people trying to win power or control:She finally won her legal battle. the endless battle between man and nature
- struggle a competition or argument between people or groups of people trying to win power or control:the struggle for independence the struggle between good and evil
- drive an organized effort by a group of people to achieve something:the drive for success a drive to reduce energy consumption a major fund drive
- A campaign is usually an attempt to get other people to do something, that takes place over a period of time; a drive may be a shorter or more local effort. A campaign may be larger, more formal, and more organized than a drive.
- war [sing.] an effort over a long period of time to get rid of or stop something bad:the war against poverty
- fight [sing.] the work of trying to stop or prevent something bad or achieve something good; an act of competing, especially in a sport:Workers won their fight for better benefits and higher pay.
- A war is about stopping things, like drugs and crime, that everyone agrees are bad. A fight can be about achieving justice for yourself.
- a campaign/battle/struggle/drive/war/fight against something
- a campaign/battle/struggle/drive/fight for something
- a one-man/one-woman/personal campaign/battle/struggle/war
- a bitter campaign/battle/struggle/drive/war/fight
- to launch/embark on a campaign/battle/drive
- to lead/continue the campaign/battle/struggle/drive/fight
- to win/lose a battle/struggle/war/fight
Idioms
in some situations any type of behavior is acceptable to get what you want
used to say that you are ready to argue or defend yourself
an attempt to defeat your opponents by putting pressure on them so that they lose courage or confidence
a bitter argument or disagreement over a period of time between two or more people or groups the political war of words over tax
- 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
Check pronunciation: war