sitzkrieg

American  

[sits-kreeg, zits-] / ˈsɪtsˌkrig, ˈzɪts- /

noun

1. slow-moving warfare marked by repeated stalemate.

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sitzkrieg British  

/ ˈzɪts-, ˈsɪtsˌkriːɡ /

noun

1. a period during a war in which both sides change positions very slowly or not at all

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Etymology

Origin of sitzkrieg

1935–40; < German, equivalent to sitz ( en ) to sit ¹ + Krieg war; modeled on blitzkrieg

Example Sentences

Germans jokingly called it the sitzkrieg, or “sitting war.”

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The result: a return to sitzkrieg, a mode of warfare that forced the mobile U.S. to fight on the enemy's terms.

From Time Magazine Archive

The entire coalition could come unglued if the sitzkrieg continues much longer.

From Time Magazine Archive

As sitzkrieg turned to blitzkrieg, however, the 28-country alliance proved to be more than international window dressing.

From Time Magazine Archive