war of survival

USAGE SUMMARY

"war of survival" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to any conflict in which two parties are fighting for their own survival. For example, "Both nations were involved in a war of survival as neither wanted to submit to the other's rule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Israel's declaration of a war of survival constitutes a great achievement for the terrorists.

The New Yorker

The author questions if Israel is really facing a war of survival.

The New Yorker

"I assure you that in this war of survival for Pakistan, we – and you – will win," he said.

The Guardian

Israel's political and military leaders did not challenge the public's angry rush to classify the bombings as a war of survival.

The New Yorker

Ever since, the rebels have fought a defensive war of survival, along with tens of thousands of refugees from embattled villages.

The New Yorker

"There is a distinction between creating the Jewish national home, which was done in the context of a war of survival for the Jewish people, and a colonial movement that cannot be justified as a necessity for Israeli security".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Both frame their struggle as defensive wars of survival.

The New York Times

To devotees of Hizbullah, Lebanon's Shia party-cum-militia, to their Iranian backers, and especially to those who came of age in the 1980s, during what they saw as wars of survival in Lebanon and Iran, he was a hero.

The Economist

In this highly politicised calculus, the revolutionary war fought to free the American colonies from the yoke of British imperialism is of a piece with every other conflict the nation has fought in the succeeding centuries, whether they be wars of survival or conquest.

BBC

We are playing now on Sharon's field, and we have done everything to help him pretend that Israel is in another war of national survival".

The New York Times

Let me put it another way: Greece has lost the war of economic survival and now has to rely on loans and financial assistance from its partners.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "war of survival", ensure the context clearly indicates a fundamental threat to the existence of a group, nation, or entity. Avoid using it for minor conflicts or disagreements.

Common error

Avoid using "war of survival" to describe everyday challenges or business competition. The phrase should be reserved for situations where there is a genuine and significant threat to continued existence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "war of survival" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig indicates its use in describing conflicts where existence is threatened. It often adds a sense of urgency and high stakes to the situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "war of survival" is a noun phrase used to depict conflicts where the existence of a group is at stake. Ludwig examples show its presence in news and media, conveying a sense of urgency and justification for extreme measures. While grammatically correct, it should be reserved for contexts where there's a genuine threat to survival, avoiding overuse in less serious situations. Semantically related alternatives include "fight for existence" and "battle for survival". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable, cautioning against exaggerating its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fight for existence

Focuses on the act of fighting to continue existing, instead of the more broad concept of war.

battle for survival

Replaces "war" with "battle", indicating a potentially smaller-scale or more focused conflict.

struggle for existence

Emphasizes the difficulty and prolonged effort involved in surviving a conflict.

life-or-death struggle

Highlights the severity and potential consequences of the conflict, emphasizing the risk of death.

existential battle

Uses "existential" to stress that the conflict threatens the very being or purpose of something.

desperate fight for survival

Adds the adjective "desperate" to emphasize the urgency and lack of options in the struggle.

fight to the death

Emphasizes the finality and uncompromising nature of the conflict.

do-or-die situation

An idiom indicating a situation where failure is not an option, and extreme measures are necessary.

clash for self-preservation

Replaces "war" with "clash" and focuses on the motive of self-preservation.

survivalist conflict

Positions the conflict as directly related to the concept and ideology of survivalism.

FAQs

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

You can use "war of survival" to describe a conflict where the very existence of a group or entity is threatened. For instance, "The small nation considered the invasion a "war of survival" against a much larger aggressor".

What is the difference between "war of survival" and "war of attrition"?

A "war of survival" is a conflict where the main goal is to ensure one's continued existence, while a "war of attrition" focuses on gradually wearing down the enemy through sustained losses.

What are some alternative phrases for ""war of survival""?

Alternatives include "fight for existence", "battle for survival", or "life-or-death struggle", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "war of survival" in a business context?

While it can be used metaphorically, it's generally best to reserve "war of survival" for situations involving genuine existential threats. Using it too loosely can diminish its impact. Consider alternatives like "competitive battle" or "struggle for market share" in business contexts.