declaring war
Formally starting conflict
Declaring war is formally announcing the commencement of armed hostilities against another nation or group.
Historically, governments issued official declarations before military action: Congress has the power of declaring war.
The phrase extends to any forceful announcement of opposition: She's declaring war on junk food.
Unlike simply going to war, declaring war emphasizes the explicit, public nature of the announcement.
- casus belliJustification for armed conflict
- hostilitiesActive armed fighting
- call to armsUrgent summons to fight
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
point of no return · combat · mobilization · war footing · bloodshed · belligerence · antagonism · troop deployment · boots on the ground · rally round the flag · powder keg · shots fired · rallying point · conflict · military-industrial complex · escalation · engagement · invasion
- Congress powersspending power, impeachment, lawmaking, appropriations, borrowing power
- federal powersinterstate commerce, national defense, federal taxes, war powers, military
- royal actionscoronation, decree, abdication, reign, knighting
- royal powersruling, sovereign rights, royal assent, royal decree, royal decrees
declaring warmaking peace
Ending hostilities between parties
reconciliation · détente · rapprochement · diplomatic engagement · non-aggression pact
declaring warstanding down
Relinquishing a position
demobilizing · disarming · laying down arms · surrendering · capitulating
declaring wararmistice
Agreement to cease hostilities
ceasefire · peace accord · surrendering · capitulating · truce
declare, declaration, declared, declares, declaring, declarative, declaratory, warring, warred