sitzkrieg

American  

[sits-kreeg, zits-] / ˈsɪtsˌkrig, ˈzɪts- /

noun

1. slow-moving warfare marked by repeated stalemate.

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sitzkrieg British  

/ ˈzɪts-, ˈsɪtsˌkriːɡ /

noun

1. a period during a war in which both sides change positions very slowly or not at all

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Etymology

Origin of sitzkrieg

1935–40; < German, equivalent to sitz ( en ) to sit ¹ + Krieg war; modeled on blitzkrieg

Example Sentences

Germans jokingly called it the sitzkrieg, or “sitting war.”

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The entire coalition could come unglued if the sitzkrieg continues much longer.

From Time Magazine Archive

As sitzkrieg turned to blitzkrieg, however, the 28-country alliance proved to be more than international window dressing.

From Time Magazine Archive

The result: a return to sitzkrieg, a mode of warfare that forced the mobile U.S. to fight on the enemy's terms.

From Time Magazine Archive