blitzkrieg

noun

blitz·​krieg ˈblits-ˌkrēg How to pronounce blitzkrieg (audio)
Synonyms of blitzkriegnext
1
: war conducted with great speed and force
specifically : a violent surprise offensive by massed air forces and mechanized ground forces in close coordination
2
: blitz sense 2a
blitzkrieg transitive verb

Synonyms of blitzkrieg

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Examples of blitzkrieg in a Sentence

the stunned survivors of the crash were then confronted with a blitzkrieg of insensitive questions from the media the war began with a blitzkrieg that was designed to shock the enemy into submission
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That happened following last fall’s immigration blitzkrieg in the region. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026 The international media blitzkrieg? — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025 Over the past decade, Osees have reinvented themselves as prog-metal warriors, hardcore agitators, and synth-punk freaks, investing each new permutation with the same degree of blitzkrieg aggression. — Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 18 June 2026 Miller’s biggest miscalculation was thinking opponents would be frightened into submission and silence with his deportation blitzkrieg and ordinary Americans would join in. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blitzkrieg

Word History

Etymology

German, from Blitz lightning + Krieg war

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blitzkrieg was in 1937

Rhymes for blitzkrieg

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Browse Nearby Words

blitzer
blitzkrieg
blitzweed
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Cite this Entry

“Blitzkrieg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blitzkrieg. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

blitzkrieg

noun
blitz·​krieg ˈblits-ˌkrēg How to pronounce blitzkrieg (audio)
: a sudden violent enemy attack
blitzkrieg verb
Etymology

German, literally, "lightning war"

More from Merriam-Webster on blitzkrieg

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blitzkrieg

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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