holy war

noun

1. a war waged for what is supposed or proclaimed to be a holy purpose, as the defense of faith.
2. any disagreement or argument between fanatical proponents of radically differing beliefs, opinions, etc.:

   a holy war on the merits of rival computer operating systems; a holy war about welfare reform.

holy war

noun

1. a war waged in the cause of a religion

Word History and Origins

Origin of holy war¹

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

She said her government will stand by Russia until it prevails in Ukraine, calling it a “holy war,” and accused South Korea and the United States of planning a nuclear attack on North Korea.

From Los Angeles Times

Yardena Schwartz is a journalist and the author of “Ghosts of a Holy War: The 1929 Massacre in Palestine that Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict.”

From Los Angeles Times

She says, “Our most powerful weapon against terrorists is our commitment to the rule of law. We must use the courts to make clear that terrorism is a criminal act, not jihad, not heroism, not holy war. And then, we must not make martyrs out of murderers.”

From Slate

Clearly, there is nothing that can disqualify a Republican candidate for president these days if he has enough gall to claim he is a champion of traditional values in a holy war against godless, commie, baby-killing liberals.

From Seattle Times

It spoke of “our struggle against the Jews,” insisted the land belonged to Muslims and declared that jihad, or holy war, was the only way to solve the Palestinian question.

From Seattle Times