warfare

[ wawr-fair ]

noun

1. the process of military struggle between two nations or groups of nations; war.
2. armed conflict between two massed enemies, armies, or the like.
3. conflict, especially when vicious and unrelenting, between competitors, political rivals, etc.

warfare

/ ˈwɔːˌfɛə /

noun

1. the act, process, or an instance of waging war
2. conflict, struggle, or strife

Other Words From

• semi·warfare noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of warfare¹

1425–75; late Middle English werefare, i.e., a faring forth to war; war ¹, fare

Example Sentences

As Barack Obama explained when the military first opened up combat roles for women, the urban and guerrilla nature of most modern warfare means that female service members were already "in a war theater" and "at great risk."

From Salon

This is a mind-blowing bit of psychological warfare!

From Slate

Increasingly violent gang warfare has plagued the poorest nation in the Americas since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.

From BBC

Kyiv said that day it had managed to shoot down 62 drones, and that a further 67 were “lost” - meaning they were either downed by electronic warfare, or disappeared from radar screens.

From BBC

In Guanajuato state, the explosion of two car bombs highlighted the escalation of cartel warfare, with some criminal groups now arming themselves with grenade launchers and drones rigged with explosives.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• battle
• campaigning
• clash
• combat
• competition
• discord
• fighting
• rivalry
• strife
• struggle
• war