declare war
Formally begin conflict
To declare war is to formally announce the start of armed conflict against another nation or group.
Countries declare war through official governmental acts.
The phrase extends to any aggressive stance against a problem or opponent: The mayor declared war on corruption.
To declare war on someone informally means to openly oppose them.
Non-negotiable final terms
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
- negotiationsFormal discussion seeking agreement
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
embargo · sovereignty · envoys · summit · mediation · arbitration · casus belli · alliance
Organizing for action
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- troopsMilitary personnel collectively
artillery · infantry · cavalry · frontline · reinforcements · deployment · conscription · maneuver
Progressive increase in intensity
- belligerenceWarlike aggression
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- enmityBitter, lasting ill will
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
aggression · provocation · tensions · retaliation · vendetta · feud · strife · bellicosity
Public declaration of information
- edictAuthoritative public command
- manifestoPublished statement of principles
- pronouncementFormal authoritative statement
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
statement · communique · formal · official · public · address · notification · resolution
ultimatum
Non-negotiable final terms
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
- negotiationsFormal discussion seeking agreement
- treatyBinding pact between nations
sanctions · embargo · sovereignty · envoys · summit · mediation · arbitration · casus belli · alliance · pact
mobilization
Organizing for action
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- invasionForcible entry into territory
troops · artillery · infantry · cavalry · frontline · reinforcements · deployment · conscription · maneuver · siege
escalation
Progressive increase in intensity
- belligerenceWarlike aggression
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- enmityBitter, lasting ill will
animosity · aggression · provocation · tensions · retaliation · vendetta · feud · strife · bellicosity · brinkmanship
announcement
Public declaration of information
- edictAuthoritative public command
- manifestoPublished statement of principles
- pronouncementFormal authoritative statement
broadcast · statement · communique · formal · official · public · address · notification · resolution · decree
- Congress powersspending power, impeachment, lawmaking, appropriations, borrowing power
- federal powersinterstate commerce, national defense, federal taxes, military, pardons
- warfarebattle, combat, attack, armed conflict, military strategy
declare warstand down
Withdraw from readiness
demobilize · disarm · surrender · capitulate · lay down arms
declare, war, declares, declared, declaring, declaration, declarations, declarative, declaratory