War: English Vocabulary List

an unexpected, illegal, and often violent attempt to change a government

"The military took power in a sudden coup last year."

"The general led a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected president and established a new dictatorship."

a building, complex, or site used for producing, keeping, or repairing arms and ammunition

"The army kept its weapons in a secret underground arsenal."

"An arsenal is a secure military storage facility for weapons and ammunition"

a military strategy or capability designed to dissuade an adversary from aggression

"Nuclear weapons are seen as a deterrent against major war."

"A deterrent is a military capability designed to discourage an enemy from attacking by threatening an unacceptably severe and certain retaliatory response to aggression."

bullets, shells, or other projectiles used in firearms

"The truck carried ammunition for the soldiers at the front."

"Ammunition is the projectiles and propellant charges fired from weapons"

a short-barreled, muzzle-loaded artillery piece that fires explosive shells at high angles for close-range support

"The mortar fired shells high over the hill into the camp."

"The mortar launched explosive shells over the wall into enemy territory."

an extremely brutal act, especially in war

"The atrocity of the crime shocked the entire world community."

"The survivors described the atrocity they had witnessed during the terrible war."

to carry out a sudden and intense military attack

"The army blitzed the enemy positions."

"The army planned to blitz the enemy positions with a rapid and overwhelming attack at dawn."