warfare
Americannoun
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the process of military struggle between two nations or groups of nations; war.
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armed conflict between two massed enemies, armies, or the like.
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conflict, especially when vicious and unrelenting, between competitors, political rivals, etc.
noun
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the act, process, or an instance of waging war
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conflict, struggle, or strife
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of warfare
1425–75; late Middle English werefare, i.e., a faring forth to war; see war 1, fare
Explanation
When two countries fight violently with each other, the conflict is called warfare. Whenever a group engages in war or violence, it can be described with the noun warfare, which is another way of saying "the act of war." Terrorists might use guerrilla warfare tactics against their enemies, and governments may resort to warfare to put down revolutions. The word war originally comes from a Germanic root, werso, which means "to perplex or confuse."
Vocabulary lists containing warfare
Mesopotamia - Introductory
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"Culture Clash"
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Mesopotamia - Middle School and High School
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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.
Roman power has collapsed in Britain, which is now a patchwork of minor kingdoms where all politics is local and low-level warfare is constant.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026
Instead of treating drones as yet another weapon within the existing military structure, Ukraine has recognized drone warfare as a separate domain.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026
Military leaders debate if changes are revolutionary, but agree on accelerating warfare transformation, with autonomy seen as a major game-changer.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026
There’s the coalition warfare, the mercenaries and the overseas adventurism.
From Salon • Jul. 4, 2026
Surprised by such warfare, the British troops retreated toward Boston.
From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen
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.
