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Synonyms

warfare

American  
[wawr-fair] / ˈwɔrˌfɛər /

noun

  1. the process of military struggle between two nations or groups of nations; war.

  2. armed conflict between two massed enemies, armies, or the like.

  3. conflict, especially when vicious and unrelenting, between competitors, political rivals, etc.


warfare British  
/ ˈwɔːˌfɛə /

noun

  1. the act, process, or an instance of waging war

  2. conflict, struggle, or strife

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • semiwarfare noun

Etymology

Origin of warfare

1425–75; late Middle English werefare, i.e., a faring forth to war; war 1, fare

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.

“The oil is liquid gold,” said Robert Pape, an expert on insurgencies and warfare at the University of Chicago.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a specialist in electronic warfare, a once neglected part of combat that has enjoyed a renaissance following its mass use in the Ukraine war.

From The Wall Street Journal

After the war, the U.S. and its allies created international rules to keep tariffs and other discriminatory measures from again becoming tools of economic warfare.

From The Wall Street Journal

One example he gives is how different seasons affected warfare in the medieval era.

From BBC

In later life, Sir Patrick went on to hold a number of academic positions and remained a respected voice in the field of naval warfare.

From BBC