holy war

American  

noun

1. a war waged for what is supposed or proclaimed to be a holy purpose, as the defense of faith.

2. any disagreement or argument between fanatical proponents of radically differing beliefs, opinions, etc..

   a holy war on the merits of rival computer operating systems; a holy war about welfare reform.

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holy war British  

noun

1. a war waged in the cause of a religion

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Etymology

Origin of holy war

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

Instead of worldwide holy war, they want to focus on national affairs, building friendly relations with all countries, including non-Muslim powers like the U.S.,

From The Wall Street Journal

The story moves forward in time, with Paul Atreides now emperor, trapped in a position of power he never wanted and presiding over a holy war carried out in his name.

From Los Angeles Times

“If God ever calls me to a holy war,” he said, “I want Joe Frazier fighting beside me.”

From Los Angeles Times

Yardena Schwartz is a journalist and the author of “Ghosts of a Holy War: The 1929 Massacre in Palestine that Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict.”

From Los Angeles Times

She says, “Our most powerful weapon against terrorists is our commitment to the rule of law. We must use the courts to make clear that terrorism is a criminal act, not jihad, not heroism, not holy war. And then, we must not make martyrs out of murderers.”

From Slate