Meaning & use
cyberwarfare
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
the use of computers and networks to attack a country's systems, especially its military, government, or infrastructure.
Grammar: No plural and no article: cyberwarfare is treated as a general activity, like 'warfare'.
Patterns
- cyberwarfare against a country
- launch cyberwarfare
- a cyberwarfare attack
The report warned that cyberwarfare could shut down power grids.
Experts say cyberwarfare is becoming as important as traditional military strength.
The group was accused of carrying out cyberwarfare against several banks.
noununcountable
the competition between countries or groups to develop and use digital attacks and defenses.
Grammar: Used for the ongoing strategic contest, often in phrases like 'an arms race in cyberwarfare'.
Patterns
- an arms race in cyberwarfare
- compete in cyberwarfare
- invest in cyberwarfare
Both nations are investing heavily in cyberwarfare.
The general described cyberwarfare as the battlefield of the future.
Universities now offer courses in cyberwarfare and digital defense.
Common combinations
- cyberwarfare attack
- A cyberwarfare attack disabled the airport's booking system.
- cyberwarfare capabilities
- The country has rapidly expanded its cyberwarfare capabilities.
- conduct cyberwarfare
- Rebel groups rarely have the resources to conduct cyberwarfare.
- cyberwarfare threat
- The agency treats the cyberwarfare threat as a top priority.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cyberattack
- Use 'cyberattack' for one specific incident; 'cyberwarfare' refers to the broader, ongoing conflict or activity.
- information warfare
- This is wider and includes propaganda and false information, not only attacks on computer systems.
Word family
- cyberwar noun
- A shorter, slightly less formal word for the same kind of conflict.
- cyberattack noun
- A single digital attack on a system or network.
- cyberwarrior noun
- A person who takes part in cyberwarfare, often used in journalism.
Commonly confused: cyberwarfare or cybercrime?
cyberwarfare vs cybercrime
Cybercrime is done for money or personal gain, while cyberwarfare is usually political or military.
Practice
The government is investing billions in ______ to protect its networks from foreign attacks.
Choose one answer.
'Cyberwarfare' is uncountable, so it takes no article and no plural. 'A cyberwarfare' and 'cyberwarfares' are wrong because the noun cannot be counted, and 'the cyberwarfare' is not used in this general sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cyberwarfare”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.