HOT WARS Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

hot wars

noun

plural of hot war

as in hostilities

a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups fortunately, the cool relationship between the two nations never escalated into a hot war

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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.

Recent Examples of hot wars There are hot wars in Ukraine and Gaza, cold wars on the Korean peninsula and in the Taiwan Strait, and budding wars in Iran and parts of Africa. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot wars

Noun

Riyadh said the discussions were aimed at keeping diplomatic channels open and preventing another escalation in hostilities.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
The conflict is now in its seventh month, and both countries seem a bit far apart on how to end hostilities.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostilities

Noun

Reserved by nature and a political civilian most of his life, Lombardo has spent the last four years focused on the basics — crime, education, job growth, economic development — and largely steered clear of the country’s incendiary culture wars.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
The whole idea is for Israel to keep fighting, because endless wars serve Netanyahu to maintain… a constant state of emergency.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of wars

Noun

His critics see a president who failed to tame inflation and keep America out of overseas conflicts, and whose agenda has fueled higher prices as the war with Iran appears to be at a stalemate.

— JOSH BOAK, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Inter-regional conflicts Disagreements over the future of water in Texas are already playing out.

— Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflicts

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hot war

hot wars

hot water

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“Hot wars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20wars. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hot wars

noun

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