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]

---

Example Sentences

Both the U.S. national team and the team from Iran, whose countries remain at war, will be playing at the venue.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

Militaries at war can lawfully kill combatants, including members of nonstate groups such as Hamas, even under a cease-fire, said Rachel VanLandingham, a national-security-law expert and former judge advocate in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

North and South Korea remain technically at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

Prohibitions on sales to nations at war remain but can be circumvented under special circumstances.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

After that he was at war, even if the war was only in his head.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover