WAR: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for WAR?

Need another word that means the same as “war”? Find 30 synonyms and 30 related words for “war” in this overview.

The synonyms of “War” are: warfare, state of war, conflict, combat, fighting, struggle, action, military action, bloodshed, contest, tussle, campaign, crusade, battle, fight, movement, drive, mission, wage war, make war, be at war, be in conflict, conduct a war, do battle, join battle, take the field, take up arms

War as a Noun

Definitions of "War" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “war” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country.
• An active struggle between competing entities.
• The waging of armed conflict against an enemy.
• A sustained campaign against an undesirable situation or activity.
• A legal state created by a declaration of war and ended by official declaration during which the international rules of war apply.
• A state of competition or hostility between different people or groups.
• A concerted campaign to end something that is injurious.

Synonyms of "War" as a noun (18 Words)

action	Something done (usually as opposed to something said. The weekend sporting action begins on Saturday.
battle	An open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals. Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga.
bloodshed	The shedding of blood resulting in murder. He avenged the bloodshed of his kinsmen.
campaign	A series of military operations intended to achieve a particular objective, confined to a particular area, or involving a specified type of fighting. A desert campaign.
combat	Fighting between armed forces. Five Hurricanes were shot down in combat.
conflict	A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one. Doctors often come into conflict with politicians.
contest	An occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants. A tennis contest.
crusade	Any of the more or less continuous military expeditions in the 11th to 13th centuries when Christian powers of Europe tried to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims. The Albigensian crusades.
drive	Hitting a golf ball off of a tee with a driver. A variable speed drive permitted operation through a range of speeds.
fight	The inclination or ability to fight or struggle. He d had another fight with Katie.
fighting	The act of fighting any contest or struggle. There was fighting in the streets.
military action	The military forces of a nation.
mission	An organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work. By then the mission had journeyed over 3 500 miles.
movement	A campaign undertaken by a political social or artistic movement. A movement to declare war on poverty.
state of war	The territory occupied by a nation.
struggle	An open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)–Thomas Paine. A power struggle for the leadership.
tussle	A vigorous struggle or scuffle, typically in order to obtain or achieve something. There was a tussle for the ball.
warfare	An active struggle between competing entities. Diplomatic warfare.

Usage Examples of "War" as a noun

• The war on poverty.
• Japan declared war on Germany.
• Thousands of people were killed in the war.
• The war against crime.
• The two countries were at war for the next eight years.
• War was declared in November but actual fighting did not begin until the following spring.
• Diplomatic warfare.
• A price war.
• A price war among tour operators.
• A war of wits.
• I fought in two wars.
• A war on drugs.
• The authorities are waging war against smuggling.
• She was at war with her parents.

War as a Verb

Definitions of "War" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “war” as a verb can have the following definitions:

• Make or wage war.
• Engage in a war.

Synonyms of "War" as a verb (12 Words)

battle	Battle or contend against in or as if in a battle. They battled over the budget.
be at war	Be identical or equivalent to.
be in conflict	Spend or use time.
combat	Battle or contend against in or as if in a battle. We must combat the prejudices against other races.
conduct a war	Behave in a certain manner.
do battle	Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself.
fight	Fight against or resist strongly. The company intends to fight the decision.
join battle	Become part of; become a member of a group or organization.
make war	Induce to have sex.
take the field	Take by force.
take up arms	Have with oneself; have on one’s person.
wage war	Carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns.

Usage Examples of "War" as a verb

• Conflicting emotions warred within her.
• Small states warred against each another.

Associations of "War" (30 Words)

amphibious	Relating to, living in, or suited for both land and water. Frogs are amphibious animals.
armament	A military force equipped for war. Instruments of disarmament rather than of armament.
arms	Distinctive emblems or devices originally borne on shields in battle and now forming the heraldic insignia of families, corporations, or countries. Arms exports.
battle	Battle or contend against in or as if in a battle. He fought a battle for recognition.
battlefield	A region where a battle is being (or has been) fought. They made a tour of Civil War battlefields.
bombardier	A member of a bomber crew in the US air force responsible for aiming and releasing bombs.
byzantine	A native or inhabitant of Byzantium or of the Byzantine Empire.
defensive	An attitude of defensiveness especially in the phrase on the defensive. A defensive stance.
demolition	The act of demolishing. Ireland s demolition of England.
disarm	Remove offensive capability from. Guerrillas had completely disarmed their forces.
fighter	A person who does not easily admit defeat in spite of difficulties or opposition. World War II fighter planes.
fighting	The action of fighting violence or conflict. Terrible fighting broke out in the streets.
grenade	A small bomb thrown by hand or launched mechanically.
gun	Shoot with a gun. A grease gun.
hostile	Troops belonging to the enemy’s military forces. Hostile factions.
invade	Occupy in large numbers or live on a host. Hitler invaded Poland on September 1 1939.
invasion	An instance of invading a country or region with an armed force. An invasion of locusts.
martial	Relating to fighting or war. Martial bravery.
militant	A militant person. The army are in conflict with militant groups.
military	Characteristic of or associated with soldiers or the military. The build up of military activity.
munition	Supply with munitions. Munition factories.
naval	Relating to a navy or navies. A naval base.
ordnance	Large but transportable armament. The gun was a brand new piece of ordnance.
soldier	Serve as a soldier. Graham wasn t enjoying this but he soldiered on.
submarine	Attack by submarine. Submarine volcanic activity.
tactic	The art of disposing armed forces in order of battle and of organizing operations, especially during contact with an enemy. Basic infantry tactics were taught by guest instructors.
warfare	An active struggle between competing entities. Diplomatic warfare.
warmonger	A person who advocates war or warlike policies.
warrior	(especially in former times) a brave or experienced soldier or fighter. I really love the warrior pose it makes me feel centred and strong.