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war

n. C / U
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈwɔɹ// UK //wˈɔː// war Archaic General-service Informal

n. a long period of fighting between countries or groups. It involves soldiers, weapons, and many people working together to win.

n. a state of armed conflict between different nations, states, or groups within a nation. Often used metaphorically to describe a intense competition or a struggle against something harmful.


SIMPLE

The two countries are finally at peace after years of war.

CONTEXTUAL

History books often focus on the causes of the Great War and how it changed international borders forever.

COMPLEX

While formal declarations of war have become rarer in the modern era, proxy conflicts and economic sanctions continue to define the geopolitical landscape between global superpowers.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general concept of armed conflict; countable when referring to a specific historical event.

Pitfall

The country is in war.The country is at war.When describing a state of active conflict, the correct preposition is 'at', not 'in'.

Idioms7 entries

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