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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

War Meaning: Definitions, Examples, and Usage (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：armed conflict (war)

war 🔊

/wɔːr/

a large and serious fight between countries or groups, using armies and weapons.

armed conflict 🔊

➕

/ɑːrmd ˈkɑːnflɪkt/

A state of organized, armed hostility between countries or large groups, typically involving military forces and weapons.

📁 Category：Warfare & Battle 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'werre' (strife), from Old High German 'werra' (confusion).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'We Are Ruined' – WAR destroys lives, property, and peace.

📖 Example

Historical museums help us understand the devastating impact of war on ordinary families. 🔊 Historical museums help us understand the devastating impact of war on ordinary families.

🔗 Collocations

declare war – formally announce a state of war against another country

civil war – war between groups within the same country

war zone – area where active fighting is taking place

🔄 Synonyms

warfare (n.) – the activity of fighting a war

conflict (n.) – a serious disagreement or fight, often prolonged

battle (n.) – a single fight between armies or groups, part of a war

🚫 Antonyms

peace (n.) – a state without war or conflict

truce (n.) – a temporary halt in fighting by agreement

armistice (n.) – a formal agreement to stop fighting permanently

🌱 Derivatives

warrior (n.) – a person who fights in a war

warlike (adj.) – inclined or disposed to war

wartime (n.) – the period during which a war is fought

📖 Cultural Story

War evolved from Proto-Germanic *werso- (to confuse). Today it is a key term in international law and political rhetoric, often declared formally.

Meaning 2：intense competition (war)

war 🔊

/wɔːr/

a fierce competition or fight between companies, teams, or ideas.

intense competition 🔊

➕

/ɪnˈtɛns ˌkɑːm.pɪˈtɪʃ.ən/

A fierce rivalry or struggle between companies, teams, or ideas, often involving aggressive tactics to gain advantage.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The two tech giants are in a constant price war to attract more customers. 🔊 The two tech giants are in a constant price war to attract more customers.

🔗 Collocations

price war – a situation where competitors repeatedly lower prices to undercut each other

trade war – a conflict between countries involving tariffs and trade barriers

war of words – a heated argument or verbal dispute

🔄 Synonyms

rivalry (n.) – competition for the same objective or supremacy

competition (n.) – the activity of striving to gain something by outperforming others

struggle (n.) – a difficult effort to achieve or overcome something

🚫 Antonyms

cooperation (n.) – working together towards a common goal

partnership (n.) – a formal association for mutual benefit

alliance (n.) – a union formed to promote common interests

🌱 Derivatives

warlord (n.) – a leader who uses power aggressively (often figuratively in business)

warring (adj.) – engaged in war or conflict

postwar (adj.) – occurring after a war (also used metaphorically)

Meaning 3：campaign against harm (war)

war 🔊

/wɔːr/

a strong effort against something bad, like disease or pollution.

campaign against harm 🔊

➕

/kæmˈpeɪn əˈɡeɪnst hɑːrm/

A determined, organized effort to combat a harmful thing such as disease, addiction, or environmental pollution.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Scientists and doctors are waging a war against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 🔊 Scientists and doctors are waging a war against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

🔗 Collocations

war on drugs – a government campaign to stop illegal drug use and trade

war on poverty – a set of policies aimed at eliminating poverty

war against disease – a sustained effort to prevent and cure diseases

🔄 Synonyms

campaign (n.) – a series of actions intended to achieve a specific goal

crusade (n.) – a vigorous campaign for a cause

drive (n.) – an organized effort to achieve something

🚫 Antonyms

surrender (n.) – giving up the fight or effort

neglect (n.) – failure to care for or pay attention to something

tolerance (n.) – acceptance of something undesirable (in contrast to fighting it)

🌱 Derivatives

warfare (n.) – figurative use as in 'psychological warfare'

wage war (phrase) – to engage in a war or campaign

warring (adj.) – in conflict, as in 'warring factions'