warfare
warfare Lexical Profile
warfare Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The activity or process of engaging in war or armed conflict, especially as conducted by a particular method or using a specific type of weapon.
"Historians study how technological innovations transformed naval warfare during the nineteenth century."
Sustained, bitter conflict, rivalry, or struggle between competing groups, factions, or ideologies.
"The corporate merger was delayed by months of legal warfare between the two rival boards of directors."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'war' refers to a specific conflict or event (and can be countable), 'warfare' is strictly uncountable and denotes the activity, process, or specific methods of fighting (e.g., 'cyber warfare', 'psychological warfare').
• Rhymes for warfare
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originating in Middle English as 'werrefare', the word combines 'war' (from Old Northern French 'werre') and 'fare' (from Old English 'faru', meaning a journey, expedition, or proceeding).