cold war
noun
1
: a conflict over ideological differences carried on by methods short of sustained overt military action and usually without breaking off diplomatic relations
specifically, often capitalized C&W
: the ideological conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the second half of the 20th century compare hot war
2
: a condition of rivalry, mistrust, and often open hostility short of violence especially between power groups (such as labor and management)
Examples of cold war in a Sentence
the era of the Cold War
the cold war between the party's more liberal and conservative members
Recent Examples on the Web
With characteristic prescience, Dick wrote about a cold war during which sides calculate their chances of winning with advanced tech.
—
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Even under conditions of a gender cold war, many girls might get on fine—but boys could suffer more.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
For more than a decade, the West has faced off against the East again in what was widely called a new cold war.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Many analysts believe Washington and Beijing are already locked into a new cold war.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold war
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Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Even under conditions of a gender cold war, many girls might get on fine—but boys could suffer more.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
For more than a decade, the West has faced off against the East again in what was widely called a new cold war.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Many analysts believe Washington and Beijing are already locked into a new cold war.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold war
Cite this Entry
“Cold war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20war. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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