wars 1 of 2

noun

plural of war
1
as in hostilities
a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups the war was the result of ethnic tensions that had been building in the region for decades

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2
as in conflicts
a lack of agreement or harmony the siblings always seemed to be at war with one another

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3
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another only the latest round in the never-ending class war

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wars

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of war
as in battles

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Example Sentences

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 wars
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, 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 The wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the conflict with Iran and the surge in settler violence have left Israel’s diplomatic standing at its weakest point in decades. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 Advertisement Per the Constitution, the federal government has carried out a national census every decade since 1790—through wars, depressions, and pandemics. — Julie Morita, Time, 25 Oct. 2026 Geopolitical unrest, rising costs and trade wars have tested the denim industry’s commitment to innovation. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Recognizing the limits, as well as the power, of these strikes may be crucial not only to ending the present conflict but also to understanding the role that energy infrastructure will likely play in future wars. — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026 Starting trade wars with multiple longtime allies is nowhere to be found in previous Republican Party platforms. — Kevin Igoe, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 The march against wars and rising living costs began peacefully. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wars
  1. hostilities
  2. conflicts
  3. rivalries
  4. battles
  5. frictions
  6. struggles
  7. fights
  8. discords
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
  • 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
Noun
  • As the diffusion of power fuels geopolitical rivalries, Americans are growing weary of entanglement in a fragmenting world.
    — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Through schoolyard rivalries, neighborhood hustles, and family setbacks, Kev turns every disaster into a story.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of rivalries
Verb
  • Nicolas Cage battles the sinkhole that threatened his Malibu home.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Under Paris France, 2024 A female scientist battles a killer shark who turns up in the Seine.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of battles
Noun
  • Certain frictions or frustrations became apparent during the reunion as some of those women tried to make their voices heard in the din of lively conversation.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Only there can tingly frictions and glints of revelation emerge.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of frictions
Noun
  • Adebayo inched closer to becoming the Heat’s all-time leading rebounder, but his early-season struggles continue.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In the lead-up to Sunday night’s game, the Chiefs maintained their confidence in Butker, with special teams coordinator Dave Toub suggesting the kicker would work through his struggles.
    — Pete Sweeney October 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • Thomas superspeeds Katerina to safety and Vision fights Butcherbird, but Butcherbird is faster and stronger.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Water shortages do not often get attention from state lawmakers, and fights over resources can pit rural landowners against cities.
    — Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of fights
Noun
  • This proves that God’s kingdom is what is truly present, even where earthly discords seem to be.
    — Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 26 May 2026
  • Your dedicated Slack channels, private discords and endless Reddit threads.
    — April Uchitel, Flow Space, 6 Aug. 2025
Definition of discords

Browse Nearby Words

warriors
wars
wars (against)
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Cite this Entry

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

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