war
war — noun
1. a period of armed fighting between countries or groups, involving weapons and so
a period of armed fighting between countries or groups, involving weapons and soldiers
The border war between Niger and Mali forced many families to leave their homes.
war between [countries]
Eleni's grandfather lost two brothers in the war of 1998.
After the war ended, volunteers helped rebuild the village school and hospital.
The president warned that a long war would destroy both economies.
Thousands of people escaped the civil war by walking to a neighbouring country.
- conflict
broader term that includes any serious disagreement, not necessarily with weapons
- warfare
refers to the activity or methods of fighting, not a specific event
- hostilities
formal term for active fighting during a war
- peace
the opposite of war, a state without fighting
文法句型
war + between/against/with
常見錯誤
2. a type of war in which opposing sides fight for a very long time until one side
a type of war in which opposing sides fight for a very long time until one side no longer has the soldiers, weapons, or will to continue
The thirty-year struggle became a war of attrition with no clear winner.
a war of attrition
Nikhil explained that in a war of attrition, the larger army usually wins.
Both sides suffered heavy losses during the long war of attrition.
The general knew his troops could not survive another war of attrition.
- war of attrition
only used as the complete phrase
文法句型
a war of attrition
用法筆記
This sense typically appears as the fixed phrase 'a war of attrition'. It can also be used metaphorically in business or sports to describe a long struggle that wears down both sides.
常見錯誤
3. a strategy of putting pressure on an opponent through threats and displays of po
a strategy of putting pressure on an opponent through threats and displays of power to damage their confidence, often before a contest
The chess match became a war of nerves between the two top players.
a war of nerves
Just before the election, both parties engaged in a war of nerves.
Baraka described the business talks as a war of nerves that lasted for weeks.
The team used a war of nerves to shake the confidence of their opponents.
- psychological warfare
broader term for using psychology to weaken an opponent
- mind games
informal; refers to attempts to confuse or upset someone
文法句型
a war of nerves
用法筆記
Also expressed as 'a war of nerves'. This is a fixed phrase describing psychological strategy, not physical fighting. Common in sports, politics, and business contexts.
4. a strong and long-lasting effort to compete against something or to end somethin
a strong and long-lasting effort to compete against something or to end something harmful, such as a disease, crime, or social problem
The government declared a war on drugs that lasted for ten years.
war on [problem]
Local schools joined the war against poverty by offering free breakfast programmes.
The trade war between the two economies hurt small shop owners the most.
Camila's long war against cancer inspired everyone in the hospital.
Supermarkets are in a price war, each trying to offer lower costs than the other.
文法句型
war on/against [something harmful]
war between [competitors]
用法筆記
Commonly appears in fixed phrases: 'war on drugs', 'war on poverty', 'war on terror', 'trade war', 'price war', 'war against [disease]'. The preposition 'on' or 'against' introduces the target. Can be used for competition between companies.
常見錯誤
war — verb
1. to take part in a war or fight as a soldier or military group
to take part in a war or fight as a soldier or military group
The two kingdoms warred against each other for control of the river valley.
warred against [enemy]
For centuries the neighbouring tribes warred over land and water rights.
Modern nations rarely war with each other in the same way as ancient empires did.
The rebel group warred against the government for almost two decades.
- make peace
to end a war or argument
文法句型
war against/with [enemy]
用法筆記
This verb is literary or formal. In everyday conversation, 'fight' or 'go to war' is much more common. Intransitive only — use 'wage war' for a transitive equivalent (e.g., 'They waged war on the enemy').