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war of words

NOUN
cause célèbre
Synonyms
WEAK
bone of contention celebrated case controversy debate grist for the gossip mill hot potato moot point political football scandal
NOUN
cause celebre
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hot potato talk of the town uproar
WEAK
affair controversial case controversial issue controversy debate fuss grist for the gossip mill matter of the moment political football rumor scandal topic of the day

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ukpo and the Los Angeles Police Department got into a bitter war of words over the decision to withhold the autopsy findings from the public last year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

The war of words intensified after an 8-6 Canada victory.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

Nvidia and Michael Burry, the famed investor who was chronicled in The Big Short by spotting the subprime bubble, appear to be in a war of words.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

Over the past week, China and Japan have been locked in an escalating war of words.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

Each of them hurled insults and barbs in a war of words.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby

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