war

Fighting with weapons between countries or large groups of people.

• The country is at war.
• Many families lost their homes during the war.
• They wanted peace after years of war.

How to use it: at war with someone (The country was at war with its neighbor.); war between A and B (War between the two countries destroyed many towns.)

Similar words: armed conflict, warfare

Opposites: peace

Common phrases: at war, go to war, declare war, civil war

A particular period of fighting between countries or large groups.

• The war lasted three years.
• My grandfather fought in two wars.
• Who won the war between those two kingdoms?

Similar words: conflict

Common phrases: a long war, win a war, the last war, world war

A long military struggle against armed groups that are not regular national armies.

• The war against the guerrillas continued.
• Thousands of troops joined the war on terrorism.
• Villagers fled as the war against armed groups spread.

How to use it: war on/against someone/something (The government announced a war against the armed rebels.)

Similar words: armed conflict, military campaign

Opposites: peace

Common phrases: war on terrorism, war against insurgents, war against guerrillas

To fight against another person, group, or force.

• The two tribes warred for years.
• Rival princes warred over the throne.
• The kingdom continued to war against its neighbors.

How to use it: war with/against someone/something (The kingdoms warred with each other for years.)

Similar words: fight, battle

Common phrases: war with someone, war against someone