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 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
The year is 2065, the same year of that other sci-fi movie now in theaters, “The Creator,” in which the U.S. wages holy war against an AI.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2023
He has said he wishes to treat all religions with respect, including Afro Brazilian faiths, and eschewing religious rivalries or anything resembling holy war.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 27, 2022
In the 11th and 12th centuries the chivalry of Spain and southern France took up the struggle with the Moors as a holy war.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 3 "Chitral" to "Cincinnati" by Various
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.
