warfare

warfare — noun

1. the use of organized military force between opposing countries or groups, includ

1.名詞B2
釋義

the use of organized military force between opposing countries or groups, including the strategies, weapons, and types of fighting that are employed

例句

Modern warfare now depends heavily on satellite technology and precision-guided missiles.

collocation: modern warfare

The militia group has conducted guerrilla warfare in the mountainous regions for years.

collocation: guerrilla warfare

同義詞
  • combat

    focuses on direct fighting between individuals or units, more concrete than the broader term warfare

  • hostilities

    formal term for acts of war; often used in legal or diplomatic contexts

  • fighting

    more general and less technical; can refer to any physical conflict

反義詞
  • peace

    the absence of armed conflict or hostility

用法筆記

Unlike the countable noun 'war' (which refers to a specific armed conflict), 'warfare' is uncountable and focuses on the methods, strategies, and type of fighting. You can say 'modern warfare' but not 'a modern warfare.' Use 'a war' for a particular instance: 'a long and bloody war.'

常見錯誤

❌The warfare lasted for five years.
✅The war lasted for five years.
💡'Warfare' describes the methods and activity of fighting, not a specific conflict with a beginning and end.
❌They fought in a guerrilla warfare.
✅They fought using guerrilla warfare.
💡'Warfare' is uncountable and does not take the indefinite article 'a.'

2. a situation involving intense competition or hostile action between non-military

2.名詞B2
釋義

a situation involving intense competition or hostile action between non-military groups, such as political parties, companies, or social classes

例句

The price warfare between the two airlines has made flights much more affordable.

collocation: price warfare

Valentina believes that office politics often turns into a form of psychological warfare.

collocation: psychological warfare

同義詞
  • conflict

    broader term encompassing any serious disagreement or opposition, not necessarily aggressive

  • rivalry

    competition between parties, less intense and destructive than warfare

  • struggle

    a sustained effort to resist or overcome opposition, often with an element of difficulty

反義詞
  • cooperation

    working together toward a shared goal rather than competing

用法筆記

This sense often appears in compound nouns formed as [noun] + warfare (e.g. class warfare, turf warfare, price warfare). The preceding noun identifies the domain or nature of the struggle. It is uncountable, so avoid 'a warfare' or 'warfares.'

常見錯誤

❌There is a warfare between the two departments.
✅The two departments are engaged in warfare.
💡'Warfare' is uncountable and should not follow 'a.'
❌The companies are doing warfare.
✅The companies are waging price warfare.
💡'Warfare' typically requires a preceding noun specifying the type, and the verb 'wage' or 'engage in.'