at war

Idioms  

1. Engaged in armed conflict; also, in a state of disagreement. This term may be used literally, usually of nations or smaller groups engaged in armed hostilities, as well as hyperbolically, describing a mild disagreement as “war,” and figuratively, for an inner conflict. For example, The Greeks and Turks have been at war for many years (literally); The two families were at war about the bill for the wedding reception (hyperbolic); and, as Shakespeare put it in Measure for Measure (2:2): “I am at war 'twixt will and will not” (inner conflict of indecision). [Late 1300s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at war

The two countries are still technically at war, after the 1950-53 conflict between the two ended without a peace treaty.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

The impoverished country has long been at war in a forgotten corner of the world.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

“You’re at war when you get attacked,” he replied.

From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026

The group, which controls swathes of Yemen and has been at war with Riyadh for over a decade, has declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and attacked ships in the Red Sea.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

One day a truck appeared in the driveway and never moved again; if the region really was at war, there was probably nowhere to get gas.

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer