post-war

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'post-war' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the period after a war has ended. For example, "The post-war period saw many changes in Europe, including the collapse of the Soviet Union."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Post-war morals.

The New Yorker

Post-war pacifism remains vigorous.

The Economist

Was the post-war American dream sustainable?

The Economist

The post-war generation cannot find jobs.

The Economist

Andrew Johnson on post-war Reconstruction policy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Post-war Europe is, increasingly, past wars.

The Economist

Like in post-war Germany?

The New York Times

Post-war, money did matter.

The New Yorker

What: seeing poverty in post-war Liverpool.

The Guardian

Post-war it became a cafe.

The Guardian - Travel

But that egalitarianism rarely extended post-war.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "post-war", ensure the specific war you are referencing is clear from the context. If not immediately obvious, explicitly mention the war to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "post-war" to refer to periods significantly removed from the actual end of a war. The term generally applies to the immediate years following the cessation of hostilities, not decades later.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "post-war" functions primarily as a pre-modifying adjective, describing nouns related to the time following a war. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is used to characterize various aspects such as "post-war morals" or "post-war Britain".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "post-war" is a versatile adjective that helps define eras, events, and conditions succeeding a war. As indicated by Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct and very common across various domains, notably in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. Usage tips emphasize the importance of specifying the war being referenced to prevent ambiguity, and avoiding use of "post-war" for periods too far removed from the war's end. Related phrases like "after the war" and "following the war" offer similar meanings. Ultimately, mastering the usage of "post-war" involves understanding its temporal context and communicative purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after the war

This is a more straightforward and less formal way to refer to the period following a war.

following the war

This alternative emphasizes the sequential nature of events occurring after a war.

in the aftermath of the war

This phrase highlights the consequences and repercussions of a war.

the period after the conflict

This is a more formal and general way to describe the time following a war.

post-conflict era

This phrase emphasizes the specific time period and its unique characteristics.

the years following the war

This alternative highlights the temporal aspect of the period after a war.

in the wake of the war

This phrase suggests a sense of immediate consequence and impact from the war.

aftermath of hostilities

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the cessation of active combat.

subsequent to the war

This alternative is a more formal way of saying "after the war".

the reconstruction era

This phrase emphasizes the rebuilding and recovery efforts after a war.

FAQs

How is "post-war" generally used in a sentence?

The term "post-war" is typically used as an adjective to describe a period, event, or condition that occurred after a war. For example, "The "post-war economy" faced numerous challenges."

What are some alternatives to using "post-war"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "after the war", "following the war", or "in the aftermath of the war".

Is "postwar" or "post-war" more correct?

"Post-war" is generally the preferred spelling, though "postwar" is sometimes used. Both are understandable, but "post-war" with the hyphen is more common in formal writing.

What is the difference between "post-war" and "pre-war"?

"Post-war" refers to the period after a war, while "pre-war" refers to the period before a war. They are antonyms used to describe different temporal contexts related to a conflict.