shooting war

American  

noun

1. open conflict between hostile nations involving direct military engagements.

---

Example Sentences

"That we find ourselves in the position where we got hit in a known shooting war inside a missile threat is pretty incredible."

From BBC

Meanwhile, Taiwan and the U.S. will also have to prepare for a challenge short of a shooting war.

From The Wall Street Journal

When I left London almost two weeks ago after the rebel coalition captured Aleppo - a stunning victory dwarfed by what followed - I thought I would be reporting a shooting war.

From BBC

Tehran promises major retaliation, but neither Israel nor Iran wants a major shooting war, given the stakes for both countries.

From New York Times

True, a Senate race isn’t the same as a shooting war.

From Los Angeles Times