acts of war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acts of war" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about military actions, international relations, or legal contexts regarding conflicts between nations. Example: "The recent military actions taken by the country were deemed acts of war by the international community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were acts of war.

Yale University

The moves were effectively acts of war.

The New Yorker

Yes, bombing -- and drone attacks -- are acts of war.

The New York Times

The group, he said, had committed "brutal acts of war".

The New York Times

Most insurance policies traditionally have excluded acts of war or terrorism from coverage.

Yale University

L. 101 222 inserted "and not otherwise prohibited by law" after "acts of war".

Cornell University

As a result, some have suggested that cyber-attacks should be treated as acts of war.

University of California, Berkeley

The two sides had agreed that acts of war would not affect the talks.

The Economist

To my mind, these were acts of war, not just law-enforcement issues".

The New Yorker

Many policies do not pay out if the policyholder is killed by acts of war.

The Economist

It justified its terrorist attacks on Israelis as legitimate acts of war against an occupying power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "acts of war", ensure the context clearly defines the parties involved and the specific actions being described. Clarity helps avoid ambiguity and potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "acts of war" metaphorically to describe non-military conflicts, such as business competition or political debates. This can trivialize the severity and implications of actual warfare.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acts of war" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting specific hostile actions that violate international laws and norms. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase frequently appears in contexts discussing international relations, legal implications, and historical conflicts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acts of war" is a commonly used noun phrase that categorizes specific actions violating international law and norms. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and primarily found in news, academic, and encyclopedic sources, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies the involved parties and actions to avoid misinterpretation. Though related to concepts like "warlike actions" or "hostile aggressions", overuse in non-military contexts should be avoided to preserve its gravity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acts of aggression

Highlights the initiation of conflict or hostile behavior.

warlike actions

Emphasizes the aggressive nature of the actions, focusing on their similarity to war.

belligerent acts

Highlights the hostile or aggressive intent behind the actions.

hostile aggressions

Focuses on the element of aggression and hostility involved.

military offensives

Specifically refers to military campaigns or attacks.

armed conflicts

Broadly describes situations involving armed combat.

international hostilities

Emphasizes the international scope and antagonistic nature of the actions.

state-sponsored violence

Identifies the involvement of a government or state in perpetrating violence.

coercive military measures

Focuses on the use of military force to compel or pressure another party.

breaches of peace

Highlights the disruption and violation of peaceful relations.

FAQs

How can I use "acts of war" in a sentence?

You can use "acts of war" to describe specific actions that violate international laws of war, such as "The bombing of civilian targets was considered among the "acts of war".".

What are some examples of actions that might be considered "acts of war"?

Examples of what could be considered as "acts of war" include declaring war, initiating military invasions, or launching attacks on a nation's infrastructure.

What distinguishes "acts of war" from acts of terrorism?

While both involve violence, "acts of war" are typically committed by states or organized armed groups and follow some rules of engagement, whereas acts of terrorism are often committed by non-state actors targeting civilians.

Are cyberattacks considered "acts of war"?

Cyberattacks that cause significant damage or disruption, especially those targeting critical infrastructure, are increasingly being debated as potential "acts of war" under international law.