as in hostilities
a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups
fortunately, the cool relationship between the two nations never escalated into a hot war
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Recent Examples of hot wars
There are hot wars in Ukraine and Gaza, cold wars on the Korean peninsula and in the Taiwan Strait, and budding wars in Iran and parts of Africa.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot wars
Noun
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After all, a bit more than a decade later, hostilities would explode anew in the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, during which Nasser shut the canal again.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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The exception, of course, is the oil companies that get a free ride off the hostilities.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One source likened it to Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the beverages industry or McDonald’s and Burger King in the burger wars.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The current conflict is sometimes referred to as the Third Gulf War, but is distinctive from the earlier two wars in important respects, including so far relying on executive authority alone.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But in recent years, the glittering spectacle, meant to celebrate unity, has been overshadowed by global conflicts which have seeped onto the stage.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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Escalating geopolitical conflicts have disrupted oil flows and contributed to a surge in gas prices in the past.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot wars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20wars. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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