holy war
Americannoun
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a war waged for what is supposed or proclaimed to be a holy purpose, as the defense of faith.
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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.
noun
Etymology
Origin of holy war
First recorded in 1685–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 ● Jan. 3, 2026
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 ● Jan. 1, 2026
The word ordinarily means an inner struggle for justice, under traditional Islamic theology, but is also regularly used as a call for holy war by terrorist groups.
From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2024
She considers this war her ‘jihad’, a term to denote a holy war or personal struggle in Islam.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 10, 2022
Their hearts beat high because they were fighting in a holy war; they were defending their native land against a greedy and grasping foe.
From The Childrens' Story of the War, Volume 1 (of 10) From the Beginning of the War to the Landing of the British Army in France by James Edward Parrott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
