warring

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Fighting a war against each other, or in open armed conflict.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: warring factions, warring nations.

   Patterns

   • warring factions
   • warring states

   Diplomats tried to bring the warring factions to the negotiating table.

   The warring tribes finally agreed to a truce.

   Aid agencies struggle to reach civilians in warring regions.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounfigurative

   In strong disagreement or competition, though not necessarily in a literal war.

   Grammar: Figurative and before a noun: warring parents, warring views.

   Patterns

   • warring parties
   • warring ideas

   The warring parents argued about every detail of the custody arrangement.

   The company was torn between two warring management styles.

   She felt warring emotions of pride and guilt.

Common combinations

warring factions

The warring factions signed a ceasefire.

warring parties

The mediator met with both warring parties.

warring states

China was once divided into several warring states.

warring clans

The warring clans fought over grazing land.

warring emotions

He wrestled with warring emotions about leaving home.

Synonyms and how they differ

fighting

Fighting is more general and can describe any physical or verbal struggle, while warring points to organized conflict.

opposing

Opposing simply means on different sides and does not imply violence.

hostile

Hostile describes an unfriendly attitude and does not require that anyone actually fights.

feuding

Feuding suggests a long personal or family quarrel on a smaller scale than warring.

Opposites

Word family

war noun

armed conflict between groups or countries

war verb

to fight or struggle against someone

warrior noun

a person who fights in battle

warlike adjective

fond of or ready for war

Commonly confused: warring or wearing?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “warring”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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