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View synonyms for war of nerves

war of nerves

noun

  1. a conflict using psychological techniques, as propaganda, threats, and false rumors, rather than direct violence, in order to confuse, thwart, or intimidate an enemy.


war of nerves

noun

  1. the use of psychological tactics against an opponent, such as shattering his morale by the use of propaganda
“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of war of nerves1

First recorded in 1935–40
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Idioms and Phrases

A conflict characterized by psychological pressure such as threats and rumors, aiming to undermine an enemy's morale. For example, Her lawyer said the university had waged a war of nerves to persuade his client to resign . This expression alludes to tactics used in World War II. [Late 1930s]
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Example Sentences

And for once many in Israel, Lebanon and Iran have something in common - a war of nerves.

From BBC

In this hybrid war of nerves fought around islands, islets, reefs and fishing grounds, the “Christmas Convoy” embraces some of the “grey zone” military tactics that China pioneered.

The waters south of China are the theater for a tense war of nerves between the forces of China and of the U.S. and its allies.

While no further drone intrusions have been registered, balloon launches have in fact been serious business in the war of nerves on the tense, divided Korean peninsula.

This weekend’s developments come one week after the North opened a new front in the peninsula’s war of nerves.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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