war of words
noun phrase
: an argument in which people or groups criticize and disagree with each other publicly and repeatedly for usually a long time
Rival groups have engaged in a war of words over the new law.
Examples of war of words in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Musk’s departure from the White House in late May was followed by an extraordinary war of words with Trump.
—
Sam Meredith, CNBC, 11 July 2025
The war of words between hundreds of local union sanitation workers and their corporate employer continued Thursday as negotiations remain at a stand still and their strike has now spread to more cities.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
The billionaire has sharply criticized Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill for its multi-trillion-dollar expansion of the U.S. federal debt pile, prompting another outbreak in the war of words between him and the president.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
In the video, Songz is seen locked in a tense exchange with an unidentified man, with both hurling insults and threats in an escalating war of words.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for war of words
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sam Meredith, CNBC, 11 July 2025
The war of words between hundreds of local union sanitation workers and their corporate employer continued Thursday as negotiations remain at a stand still and their strike has now spread to more cities.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
The billionaire has sharply criticized Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill for its multi-trillion-dollar expansion of the U.S. federal debt pile, prompting another outbreak in the war of words between him and the president.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
In the video, Songz is seen locked in a tense exchange with an unidentified man, with both hurling insults and threats in an escalating war of words.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for war of words
Cite this Entry
“War of words.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war%20of%20words. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share