shooting war

noun

1. open conflict between hostile nations involving direct military engagements.

Example Sentences

Presidential elections rarely hinge on questions of foreign policy, except when the United States is in a shooting war.

From Los Angeles Times

The key question here is whether this all drags in the US, leading to a full-scale shooting war between Iran and US forces in the region.

From BBC

Iran promises major retaliation, but neither Israel nor Iran wants a major shooting war, given the stakes for both countries.

From New York Times

Tehran promises major retaliation, but neither Israel nor Iran wants a major shooting war, given the stakes for both countries.

From New York Times

He is threatening a military invasion of blue states and cities, egging on Texas neo-confederates on the verge of a shooting war with federal troops over the border, promising to lay off virtually the entire federal workforce and replace them with Turning Point USA interns, and facing 91 felony counts in four separate cases.

From Slate