limited war

American  

noun

1. a war conducted with less than a nation's total resources and restricted in aim to less than total defeat of the enemy.

2. a war restricted to a relatively small area of the world and involving few warring nations.

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limited war British  

noun

1. a war in which the belligerents do not seek the total destruction of the enemy, esp one in which nuclear weapons are deliberately not used

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Etymology

Origin of limited war

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Those ties widened into a security relationship after 1999, when India fought a limited war with Pakistan over Kashmir and Israel helped New Delhi with arms and ammunition.

From Seattle Times

In large measure because of that limited war aim, Bush was successful in obtaining both financial and military support from several nations, freeing Kuwait of Iraqi forces.

From Washington Post

Korea was frustrating in part because, like Ukraine, it was a limited war.

From Washington Post

Mr. Zarif also said there will be no “limited war” in the region and that any conflict will end with the destruction of Iran’s enemies.

From Washington Times

India and Pakistan have fought three limited wars since Pakistan was created in 1947 in the violent partition of India.

From Washington Post