ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

military action - a military engagement; "he saw action in Korea"

amphibious landing - a military action of coordinated land, sea, and air forces organized for an invasion; "MacArthur staged a massive amphibious landing behind enemy lines"

battle, engagement, fight, conflict - a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war; "Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga"; "he lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement"

blockade, encirclement - a war measure that isolates some area of importance to the enemy

defense, defensive measure, defence - (military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies; "they died in the defense of Stalingrad"; "they were developed for the defense program"

electronic warfare, EW - military action involving the use of electromagnetic energy to determine or exploit or reduce or prevent hostile use of the electromagnetic spectrum

police action - a local military action without declaration of war; against violators of international peace and order

resistance - the military action of resisting the enemy's advance; "the enemy offered little resistance"

saber rattling, sabre rattling - the ostentatious display of military power (with the implied threat that it might be used)

sortie, sally - a military action in which besieged troops burst forth from their position

war, warfare - the waging of armed conflict against an enemy; "thousands of people were killed in the war"

group action - action taken by a group of people

armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation; "their military is the largest in the region"; "the military machine is the same one we faced in 1991 but now it is weaker"

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References in periodicals archive

Tony Blair was facing calls today to avert military action against Iran as a coalition of organisations warns it would be disastrous.

Call for Blair to avoid war

military action against Saddam Hussein, but believes the United Nations should help rebuild Iraq.

Compare the candidates

The terrorist attacks presented Bush with a golden opportunity to earn more respect for his presidency by resorting to military action dressed up as righteous American justice.

A more independent Japan: now is the time for Japan to break its ties with a corrupt and confused America, argues Yoneyuki Sugita

He was referring to controversy over the U.S.- and British-led military action in Iraq, which received support from leaders of some eastern European countries scheduled to join the European Union next year but was strongly resisted by EU-founding members France and Germany.

Cold War fears haunt European churches: split over Iraq war threatens unity of European Union

The war, America's second major military action since the September 11 attacks, took the nation into unknown territory, with risks and possibilities not only for the U.S.

War in Iraq: America's second major military action since 9/11 could reshape U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East. U.S. officials hope the risks of going to war pay off. (America At War)

Bush indicted "some permanent members of the Security Council" who opposed military action to enforce the UN's decrees.

It's the UN, stupid! (The Last Word)

BRITAIN would have ``nothing whatever'' to do with any military action against Syria or Iran, Foreign Secretary JackStraw signalled today.

UK rejects war on Syria & Iran; War briefs

The Bush administration has supported the idea of preemptive military action in its National Security Strategy and in various international and national forums.

Evaluating the preemptive use of force

Delta Air Lines has announced a flexible ticketing policy in response to military action in the Middle East.

Delta Air Lines announces flexible ticketing policies

This time, however, Math marched in a sea of lavender armbands, literally shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other members of the Out Against the War Coalition, a Bay Area organization of gay people who oppose military action in Iraq.

Taking to the streets: whether or not war is a traditional "gay issue," more and more gay people are taking an organized stand against the U.S.'s potential invasion of Iraq. (Activism)

Bush could decide on military action against Iraq anytime after a U.N.

U.S. may attack Iraq next week if U.N rejects new resolution

A SIGNIFICANT majority of the British public now believe that military action must be used to remove Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein from power, a new poll suggests.

Poll says public back action