cyber warfare

noun

: the use of cyberattacks by a nation, organization, etc. to weaken or destroy another
Ukraine has now called on hackers to help defend against more cyber warfare.Martin Farrer
… three days of speeches and panel discussions left no category of threat unaddressed. Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, terror attacks, cyber warfare, chemical leaks, train derailments, wildfires, floods, and nuclear meltdowns were all considered.Matthew Power
… the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have been the object of various threats from Russia, including economic sanctions and disruptive cyberwarfare.Zbigniew Brzezinski

Examples of cyber warfare in a Sentence

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.
Why cyber warfare matters in the Iran conflict Cyber operations offer something missiles cannot. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026 Operators now face demands to incorporate cyber warfare and unmanned systems into their tactical approach. Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2026 Minutes south lies a military nerve center for electronic and cyber warfare, missile defense, and the clandestine monitoring of foreign nuclear tests. Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026 However, there have been multiple instances of attacks on critical infrastructure and facilities in both countries, which have also been subject to cyber warfare. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cyber warfare

Word History

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cyber warfare was in 1994

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Cite this Entry

“Cyber warfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyber%20warfare. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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