lawfare

American  

[law-fair] / ˈlɔˌfɛər /

noun

1. the use of legal action to pressure or intimidate.

2. the use of legal systems to exert power over other countries or groups.

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lawfare British  

/ ˈlɔːˌfɛə /

noun

1. the use of the law by a country against its enemies, esp by challenging the legality of military or foreign policy

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Etymology

Origin of lawfare

C21: from _law + _warfare

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lawfare

Then again, this column has spent a decade charting Washington’s shabby descent into lawfare.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

The fund had been set aside for "victims of lawfare" to seek compensation, and eligibility for it appeared broad.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026

“The fund is going to plaintiffs who were victims of lawfare or weaponization. … Those are pretty ambiguous terms. They’re sort of in the eye of the beholder,” Nixon said.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026

But on the campaign trail, its top prime ministerial nominee, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, hoped that this time there would be "no lawfare to destroy us".

From Barron's ● Feb. 3, 2026

UMG shared a statement with several outlets calling Drake's claims "illogical" and accusing the rapper of engaging in lawfare.

From Salon ● Jan. 16, 2025