War & Conflict

Military action, weapons, defense, violence, and conflict.

371 words

# War & Conflict

**Type:** Topic
**Words:** 371

## About
Military action, weapons, defense, violence, and conflict.

## Words by Level

### A1
- fire - The flames, heat, and light produced when something burns.

### A2
- fight - To take part in a physical or violent struggle against someone.
- war - An armed fight between countries or large groups, usually involving military forces.
- peace - A situation without war or fighting between countries or groups.
- gun - A weapon that fires bullets or other projectiles.
- shoot - To fire a gun or other weapon, or to hit someone or something with a bullet.
- attack - To use violence against someone or something.
- private - Meant for one particular person or group, not for everyone.
- military - Relating to the armed forces such as the army, navy, and air force.
- strike - To hit someone or something hard.
- soldier - A person who serves in an army.
- armed - Carrying or using weapons.
- fighter - A person who fights, especially in a war or a sport like boxing.
- peaceful - Quiet and calm, without noise or disturbance.
- armor - tough more-or-less rigid protective covering of an animal or plant

### B1
- army - A country's military force, especially the part that fights on land.
- enemy - A person who hates you, opposes you, or wants to harm you.
- battle - A fight between armies or groups of people during a war.
- weapon - An object such as a gun, knife, or sword used to fight or harm people.
- bomb - A weapon that explodes and causes damage.
- defense - The act of protecting someone or something from attack or harm.
- violence - Behaviour that uses physical force to hurt, damage, or kill.
- resist - To stop yourself from doing or having something you want.
- conflict - A serious disagreement or fight between people or groups.
- overcome - To successfully deal with or control a problem or difficulty.
- invasion - The act of entering a country or area with an army to take control of it.
- offensive - Likely to upset or anger people; rude or insulting.
- conquer - To take control of a country or people by force, usually in war.
- liberate - To set someone or something free.
- air force
- fighting - The act of taking part in a physical or armed struggle.
- unworthy - lacking in value or merit
- fortress - A fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; for example a fort, a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security.
- freight - the charge for transporting something by common carrier

### B2
- revolution - A sudden, often violent attempt by people to overthrow a government and change the political system.
- martial - Relating to war, soldiers, or the armed forces.
- missile - A flying weapon that is powered and can be steered toward its target.
- trophy - A cup, statue, or other object given as a prize for winning a competition.
- bombing - An attack in which bombs are dropped or set off.
- dove - A small, usually white or grey bird similar to a pigeon, often used as a symbol of peace.
- relieve - To make pain, worry, or a problem less severe.
- troop - Soldiers, especially when thought of as a group.
- veteran - A person who has served in the armed forces, especially during a war.
- firearm - A gun that can be carried and used as a weapon.
- rebellious - Refusing to obey rules or those in authority.
- warship - A ship built and armed for fighting in war.
- turbulent - Full of sudden change, conflict, or disorder.
- paratrooper - A soldier trained to jump from aircraft by parachute into a battle area.
- anticancer - Used to treat or fight cancer.
- fire brigade
- skirmish - a small fight or battle between two groups
- hearth - home symbolized as a part of the fireplace
- ashore - towards the shore from the water
- thereof - of or concerning this or that
- jailer - someone who guards prisoners
- artillery - Weapons, especially siege engines.
- unprotected - Not protected; lacking defence or protection; exposed.
- downstream - Occurring later than something else; (also, usually, especially) influenced by something else; being a consequence of something else.
- awkwardly - in an awkward manner
- regiment - a military unit made up of several smaller groups of soldiers
- disarm - to take a weapon or the means of attack away from a person or group
- battleship - a large, heavily armored warship armed with powerful guns, especially a twentieth-century capital ship
- gunner - a member of the armed forces who operates or serves a gun, especially an artillery piece
- scout - a person sent ahead to observe an area or gather information, especially about an enemy
- truce - an agreement between opponents to stop fighting or arguing for a limited time
- outpost - a small military position located some distance from the main force or base
- mace - a heavy club, sometimes fitted with a spiked metal head, formerly used as a weapon
- blaster - a powerful fictional hand weapon that fires an energy beam or pulse
- admiral - a senior naval officer, typically of the highest ranks and often commanding a fleet
- deserter - a member of the armed forces who leaves a post or service without permission and intends not to return

### C1
- combat - To take action to stop or reduce something harmful.
- hostile - Unfriendly and showing strong dislike or opposition.
- warfare - The activity of fighting a war or armed conflict.
- militia - A group of ordinary citizens trained as soldiers to fight in an emergency, rather than professional troops.
- clash - To disagree strongly or come into conflict.
- confrontation - An angry meeting or argument between people who disagree, often face to face.
- adversary - An enemy, opponent, or rival.
- tangle - To twist together into a messy, knotted mass.
- beleaguered - experiencing difficulties or trouble, often due to being surrounded by problems
- reconnaissance - the act of reconnoitring (especially to gain information about an enemy or potential enemy)
- scotch - A block for a wheel or other round object; a chock, wedge, prop, or other support, to prevent slipping.
- pistol - A lively, high-energy person.
- utterance - An act of, or the process of, uttering.
- keenly - in a keen and discriminating manner
- wrath - belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong, personified as one of the deadly sins
- darkly - without light
- foam - a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid
- ammunition - information that can be used to attack or defend a claim or argument or viewpoint
- clumsily - in an awkward manner, or without skill
- lustrous - brilliant
- portent - Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.
- siege - Military action.
- beholder - a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
- convergence - The act of moving toward union or uniformity.
- gainer - a person who gains something, such as an advantage or profits
- fortification - a defensive wall, earthwork, or other structure built to protect a place from attack
- saber - a cavalry sword with a curved, single-edged blade
- ordnance - military weapons, ammunition, and related equipment
- ironclad - so strong, certain, or securely established that it cannot easily be challenged or broken
- holster - a fitted case worn on the body for carrying a handgun or another tool safely and accessibly
- swordsman - a person skilled in fighting or fencing with a sword
- warpath - a course of hostile action or an angrily confrontational mood, especially in the phrase on the warpath
- marksmanship - skill and accuracy in shooting at a target
- entrench - to establish an attitude, habit, institution, or position so firmly that it is difficult to change
- marksman - a person who is highly skilled at shooting accurately with a firearm, bow, or similar weapon
- sheathe - to put a knife, sword, or similar blade into its sheath
- armistice - a formal agreement between belligerents to stop fighting, usually for a specified or indefinite period and without itself constituting a peace treaty
- outflank - to move around the side of an opposing force in order to attack from behind or gain an advantage
- regimental - belonging to, organized as, or associated with a military regiment
- infantryman - a soldier who serves in the infantry and is trained to fight primarily on foot
- subjugate - to defeat a people or country and bring it under controlling rule, usually with little or no freedom
- stronghold - a place fortified to withstand attack; a fortress
- reconquer - to conquer and regain territory or control that was previously lost
- picket - a person or group stationed outside a workplace or other site to protest and discourage entry
- commandant - the officer in charge of a military unit, fort, camp, school, prison, or district
- outfight - to fight better than

### C2
- evasive - deliberately vague or ambiguous
- blitz - A sudden, intense, and concentrated effort or campaign.
- scuffle - fight or struggle in a confused way at close quarters
- belligerent - Aggressive and eager to argue or fight.
- warlike - suggesting war or military life
- confrontational - Likely to cause an argument or fight; aggressive and hostile.
- conciliation - The act of ending a conflict and bringing people back to peace.
- belligerence - Aggressive, hostile behaviour or a readiness to fight.
- armorer - a manufacturer of firearms
- amorous - inclined toward or displaying love
- attenuate - to become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
- bulwark - to defend with a bulwark
- flotilla - A small fleet of warships (usually of the same class), or a fleet of small ships.
- gossamer - A fine film made up of cobwebs, seen floating in the air or caught on bushes, etc.
- harbinger - A person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or something.
- junta - a group of military officers who rule a country after seizing power
- lumber - move heavily or clumsily
- melee - to attack with the hands or handheld not projectile weapon, typically in video games
- militate - To give force or effect toward; to influence.
- milquetoast - meek or timid
- morose - Sullen, gloomy; showing a brooding ill humour.
- oblivious - Lacking awareness; unmindful; unaware, unconscious of.
- ostracize - avoid speaking to or dealing with
- peremptory - putting an end to all debate or action
- polemic - Having the characteristics of a polemic.
- protean - Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms.
- pusillanimous - Showing ignoble cowardice, or contemptible timidity.
- pyrrhic - of or relating to or resembling Pyrrhus or his exploits, especially his sustaining staggering losses in order to defeat the Romans
- rampart - an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
- reconnoiter - To perform a reconnaissance (of an area; an enemy position); to scout with the aim of acquiring information.
- refulgent - As if giving off light or warmth.
- reprisal - The act of taking something from an enemy by way of retaliation or indemnity.
- stymie - An obstacle or obstruction.
- vanguard - the position of greatest importance or advancement
- venality - prostitution of talents or offices or services for reward
- virago - a large, strong, and aggressivly dominating woman
- pugnacity - The act or characteristic of being aggressive or combative.
- sideways - toward one side
- philosophically - in a philosophic manner
- sixpence - The value of six old pence; half of a shilling; or one-fortieth of a pound sterling.
- precaution - a precautionary measure warding off impending danger, damage or injury
- valor - the qualities of a hero or heroine
- circumlocution - A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; thus
- vault - to jump across or leap over an obstacle
- fort - A structure improvised from furniture, bedding, etc., for playing games.
- groan - indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
- pervade - To be in every part of; to spread through; to permeate.
- inextricably - in an inextricable manner
- distributive - Tending to distribute; serving to divide and assign in portions; dealing a proper share to each.
- synchronize - make synchronous and adjust in time or manner
- aloft - in the higher atmosphere above the earth
- housekeeping - The chores of maintaining a house as a residence, especially cleaning.
- distaste - Aversion of the taste; dislike, as of food or drink; disrelish.
- pantry - A small room, closet, or cabinet usually located in or near the kitchen, dedicated to shelf-stable food storage or storing kitchenware, like a larder, but smaller.
- schoolboy - a boy attending school
- soldiery - Soldiers considered as a group.
- wicket - A small door or gate, especially one beside a larger one.
- parapet - A low protective wall.
- redistribution - distributing again
- halve - divide by two
- rascal - A dishonest person; a rogue, a scoundrel, a trickster.
- typewriter - One who uses a typewriter; a typist.
- aback - by surprise
- unwonted - out of the ordinary
- humbly - in a humble manner
- indiscriminately - In an indiscriminate manner.
- scaffold - provide with a scaffold for support
- seaward - in the direction of the sea
- unionism - The support of advocacy of a union, especially of a trade union.
- waltz - A ballroom dance in 3/4 time.
- furtively - in a furtive manner
- sullenly - In a sullen manner.
- exigency - a pressing or urgent situation
- inky - Of the colour of ink, especially black ink; dark.
- thereon - on that
- whitish - Somewhat white, pale or almost white.
- citadel - A strong fortress that sits high above a city.
- confidentially - in a confidential manner
- portentous - of momentous or ominous significance
- slavish - blindly imitative
- sultry - characterized by oppressive heat and humidity
- bedtime - The time or hour at which one retires to bed in order to sleep.
- nimbly - in a nimble manner
- undeserved - not deserved or earned
- hussar - historical: a soldier in one of the light-cavalry units of Hungary or other European armies
- artilleryman - a soldier trained to operate artillery weapons
- battlement - a defensive parapet at the top of a castle or wall, with alternating raised sections and gaps for observation or weapons
- bivouac - a temporary camp, especially one used by soldiers or mountaineers and offering little or no shelter
- impressment - historical: the forcible recruitment of people into military service, especially sailors into a navy
- hilt - the handle assembly of a sword or dagger, including its grip, guard, and pommel
- musket - a long, muzzle-loading shoulder firearm, especially the smoothbore infantry weapon used before rifles became standard
- feud - a long and bitter quarrel between people, families, or groups, sometimes involving violence
- parry - to ward off or deflect a weapon, blow, or other attack
- culverin - a long-barreled cannon used chiefly in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
- grenadier - a soldier originally trained to throw grenades, and later a member of an elite infantry regiment or guard unit
- sharpshooter - a person highly skilled at shooting accurately, especially with a rifle
- armada - a large fleet of warships or other military craft
- breastplate - a piece of armor that protects the chest or front of the torso
- guardsman - a soldier who belongs to a guard unit, especially an elite or ceremonial one
- sentry - a guard posted to watch a place, especially to warn of danger or prevent unauthorized entry
- carbine - a lightweight rifle with a barrel shorter than that of a standard rifle
- fusillade - a large number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid succession
- swordsmanship - skill, technique, or proficiency in fighting with a sword
- guardroom - a room occupied by soldiers or other personnel while they are on guard duty
- gunnery - the practical skill, operation, and tactical use of guns, especially artillery or naval guns
- besieger - a person or force that surrounds and attacks a fortified place in order to make it surrender
- breastwork - a low defensive wall or earthwork high enough to protect a fighter's chest
- flanker - a soldier or unit positioned to guard, attack, or operate on the side of a military formation
- outrider - a mounted escort who rides ahead of or beside a procession, vehicle, or body of travelers
- sanguinary - involving or accompanied by much bloodshed
- gunboat - a relatively small warship armed with one or more mounted guns, often designed for coastal or river operations
- ambuscade - an ambush, or a concealed position from which a surprise attack is made
- zouave - a soldier of a French light-infantry corps originally recruited in Algeria and known for a distinctive, brightly colored uniform
- rapine - the violent seizure of property, especially widespread pillage during war or civil disorder
- phalanx - a close-ranked formation of soldiers, especially the spear-bearing formation of ancient Greece and Macedonia
- generalship - skill or performance in commanding an army and directing military operations
- pillage - to rob a place of valuable goods by force, especially during war or civil disorder
- polemarch - in ancient Greece, a senior military commander or war leader
- sabotage - deliberate damage, obstruction, or disruption intended to weaken an activity, organization, or opponent
- trierarch - a commander or captain of a trireme in the ancient Greek world
- trireme - an ancient Mediterranean war galley propelled chiefly by oars arranged in three banks on each side
- munition - usually plural: military weapons, ammunition, explosives, and other supplies used in war
- hetman - a Cossack leader or military commander
- disintegrator - a fictional weapon or device that destroys matter by breaking it apart
- shotgun - a smoothbore firearm designed to fire cartridges containing many small pellets or a single slug
- mutineer - a person who takes part in a mutiny, especially a sailor or soldier rebelling collectively against commanding officers
- javelin - a light spear designed to be thrown by hand as a weapon in war or hunting
- embattled - involved in, surrounded by, or persistently troubled by conflict or controversy
- reinvasion - a renewed or subsequent invasion
- queller - a person or thing that suppresses, subdues, or puts an end to resistance, disorder, or a strong feeling
- stockade - a defensive fence or barrier made from a line of stout upright posts
- bowshot - the distance over which an arrow can be shot effectively from a bow
- portcullis - a heavy gate made of a wood or metal grating that slides vertically to block a fortified entrance
- billet - temporary lodging assigned to a soldier or another member of an organization
- lancer - historical: a cavalry soldier armed with a lance
- buckler - historical: a small round shield held in the hand or worn on the arm for parrying blows
- condottiere - historical: the commander of a mercenary company in Italy or elsewhere in Europe, especially from the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries
- quartermaster - a military officer or specialist responsible for supplies, equipment, transport, and often accommodation
- regimentals - the uniform and insignia of a soldier's regiment; a plural-only and often historical noun
- ensigncy - historical: the rank, office, or commission of an ensign, especially a junior officer in an army regiment
- catapulta - historical: a Roman military engine for launching arrows, stones, or other projectiles
- zareba - an improvised defensive enclosure or stockade, especially one made from thorn bushes in parts of Africa
- sally port - a small gate or passage in a fortified place through which defenders can make a sortie
- breech - the rear part of a firearm barrel, behind the chamber, where ammunition is loaded
- hoplite - a heavily armed citizen infantry soldier of ancient Greece, typically carrying a spear and large round shield
- scimitar - a saber with a curved blade, historically associated with the Middle East and parts of South and Central Asia
- ballista - an ancient torsion-powered missile weapon resembling a giant crossbow and used to launch heavy bolts or stones
- scabbard - a protective sheath for the blade of a sword, dagger, or bayonet
- bandolier - a belt worn over one shoulder with loops or pockets for carrying cartridges
- commodore - a naval officer ranking above captain and below rear admiral
- bowstring - the cord stretched between the ends of an archer's bow and drawn back to shoot an arrow
- cadet - a student or trainee preparing to become a military or police officer
- cuirass - a piece of body armour protecting the chest and back, originally of leather and later usually of metal
- habergeon - historical: a short, sleeveless or short-sleeved coat of mail, lighter than a hauberk
- cutlass - a short, heavy sword with a broad, curved, single-edged blade, formerly used especially by sailors
- redoubt - a small enclosed defensive fortification, often temporary or supplementary
- sapper - a military engineer trained to build or destroy fortifications, bridges, roads, and similar works
- cannonade - intense or sustained firing by cannons or other artillery
- reservist - a member of a military reserve who can be called into active service
- tussle - a vigorous physical struggle, scuffle, or contest
- outwork - a subsidiary defensive fortification built beyond a fortress's main enclosure
- caltrop - a small metal device with four spikes arranged so that one point always faces upward, used to injure feet, hooves, or tires
- unlimber - to detach an artillery piece from its limber and make it ready to fire
- palisade - a defensive fence or barrier made from a close row of strong pointed wooden stakes
- crusader - a participant in one of the medieval Christian military expeditions known as the Crusades
- buckshot - large lead or steel pellets loaded into a shotgun cartridge for hunting medium or large game
- boomerang - an Australian Aboriginal curved throwing implement, some forms of which return toward the thrower when properly thrown
- conscription - compulsory enlistment of people into military service
- ramrod - a rod used to push a charge down the barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm or to clean a gun barrel
- subaltern - historical British military usage: a commissioned army officer below the rank of captain, such as a lieutenant
- adjutant - a military officer who assists a commanding officer, especially with administration
- poniard - historical: a dagger with a slender blade, often of triangular or square cross section
- conscript - a person compulsorily enrolled in military or other public service
- ruction - informal: a noisy quarrel, fight, or angry disturbance
- blunderbuss - An old style of muzzleloading firearm and early form of shotgun with a distinctive short, large caliber barrel that is flared at the muzzle, therefore able to fire scattered quantities of nails, stones, shot, etc. at short range.
- guardhouse - a building occupied by guards, often containing rooms for detained prisoners
- dragoon - historical: a mounted soldier trained to fight on foot, later a cavalry soldier
- linstock - A pointed forked staff, shod with iron at the foot, to hold a lighted match for firing cannon.
- tactician - a person who is skilled at planning tactics
- trident - A three-pronged spear somewhat resembling a pitchfork.
- bayonet - a blade designed to be fixed to the muzzle of a rifle and used as a close-combat weapon
- musketeer - historical: a foot soldier armed with a musket
- cannoneer - An artillery soldier who maintains and operates (historical) a cannon, or (now) some other piece of heavy artillery.
- broadsword - a sword with a broad blade, typically sharpened on both edges and designed mainly for cutting
- emplacement - military installation consisting of a prepared position for siting a weapon
- stiletto - a small dagger with a tapered blade
- strategist - a person who devises strategies.
- rencounter - to meet, encounter, or collide with

### C2+
- savage - fierce, violent, or uncontrolled; (verb) to attack ferociously
- peaceable - inclined to avoid conflict; peaceful in disposition
- enlist - to enroll in the armed forces, or to secure someone's help
- brawl - a rough, noisy fight or quarrel
- foe - an enemy or adversary
- quisling - a traitor who collaborates with an occupying enemy
- stratagem - a plan or scheme to deceive an enemy or gain an advantage
- bellicose - inclined to fighting or war; aggressively hostile
- combative - ready or eager to fight or argue
- fortify - to strengthen against attack; to reinforce or invigorate
- pacifist - a person who opposes war and violence on principle
- affray - a noisy public fight or brawl disturbing the peace
- apologetic - expressing or showing regret; offered in defence of something
- apologia - a formal written defence of one's opinions or conduct
- battleground - a place where a battle is or was fought; an arena of conflict
- irruption - a sudden violent bursting in or invasion
- nuke - to attack with nuclear weapons; (informal) to heat in a microwave
- projectile - an object propelled through the air, especially as a weapon
- vanquish - to defeat thoroughly in battle or competition
- aggress - to attack or behave aggressively toward another
- agon - a conflict or struggle, especially the central one in a drama
- apologetics - the systematic defense of a doctrine, especially a religious one
- armament - military weapons and equipment, or the process of arming for war
- assail - to attack violently, or to beset with criticism or troubling thoughts
- bandit - a robber or outlaw, typically one of an armed band
- belligerency - the state of being at war or engaged in hostile conflict
- bombardment - a continuous attack with bombs, shells, or other projectiles
- defenseless - lacking any means of protection or defense
- dovish - favoring peace or conciliatory policies over confrontation
- embroil - to involve someone deeply in conflict or difficulty
- foeman - an enemy in war; an opponent in combat
- grapple - to struggle or wrestle in close combat; to grip firmly
- gunstock - the wooden support to which a gun's barrel and mechanism are fixed
- irenic - aiming at or promoting peace and conciliation
- irenical - tending toward peace or reconciliation; conciliatory
- pacification - the act of bringing peace or suppressing hostility
- pacifism - the belief that disputes should be settled without violence or war
- pacifistic - opposed to violence or war as a means of settling disputes
- quisle - to act as a traitor or collaborator with an enemy
- raider - one who makes a sudden attack to seize, plunder, or disrupt
- shiv - a homemade or improvised knife, especially one used as a weapon
- torpedo - a self-propelled underwater missile; to attack or wreck something
- cower - To crouch or cringe, or to avoid or shy away from something, in fear.
- craven - Unwilling to fight; lacking even the rudiments of courage; extremely cowardly.
- influx - A flow inward or into something; a coming in.
- pare - to decrease gradually or bit by bit
- staircase - a way of access, upward and downward, consisting of a set of steps
- maid - An adult or adolescent female servant or cleaner (short for maidservant). (In feudal times this could be anyone from a high-ranking assistant to a low-ranking cleaner.)
- self-respect - The knowledge of one's own worth.
- amiss - in an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner
- dungeon - An underground prison or vault, typically built underneath a castle.
- gin - trap with a snare
- ransom - Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.
- pince-nez - Templeless eyeglasses that clip to the bridge of the nose.
- bein - Wealthy; well-to-do.
- calico - having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
- hammock - A swinging couch or bed, usually made of netting or canvas about six feet (1.8 meters) wide, suspended by clews or cords at the ends.
- idly - in an idle manner
- north-east - to, toward, or in the northeast
- cannon - a large heavy gun for firing metal balls or shells
- sighter - a preliminary or practice shot used to test aim, range, or conditions
- aide-de-camp - a military officer serving as a confidential assistant to a senior officer or head of state
- quick-firer - historical: a gun designed to fire rounds in rapid succession, especially a late-nineteenth- or early-twentieth-century naval or field gun
- axite - historical: a proprietary smokeless powder used as a propellant in rifle cartridges
- twelve-pounder - a cannon classified as firing a projectile weighing twelve pounds
- jezail - a long-barreled Afghan matchlock or flintlock musket, often fired from a forked rest
- war whoop - historical: a loud cry used as a signal or expression of aggression when entering battle

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A2 (14) Pro

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