war crimes

Cultural  

1. Acts committed by soldiers or government officials, either in the course of a war or in bringing on a war, that violate the customs of warfare. Examples of war crimes include atrocities committed against civilians (see My Lai massacre) and the mistreatment of prisoners of war. After World War II, twenty-two Nazi leaders were tried at Nuremberg by the victorious Allies, and twelve were sentenced to death for war crimes. (See Nuremberg trials.)

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Example Sentences

Their propriety is debatable, but as a matter of historical precedent and law, they aren’t war crimes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Caine evaded any discussion of morality and war crimes, and he knew it.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

"We have no contemporary experience of war crimes trials being conducted in Australia," says Rothwell, one of Australia's leading experts in international law.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Robert Goldman, a war crimes expert at the American University Washington College of Law, said that on energy sites, Trump "can't have it both ways."

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who faces war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war.

From The 2008 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency