shooting war

American  

noun

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

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Example Sentences

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

“The last thing we want to have happen is, we don’t want a shooting war over there. And the good news is we’ve been vastly successful at doing so with the help of the State Department,” Hecker said.

From Seattle Times