Vocabulary for IELTS Academic (Band 8-9) - War

a massive group of warships organized for military or strategic purposes

a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army, often motivated by payment rather than ideological or national allegiance

a temporary stoppage or truce in hostilities between parties engaged in a war or conflict

a defensive barrier erected during wartime to obstruct enemy movement and provide protection for defending forces

a military unit composed of a varying number of companies or platoons, typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel

a military unit, subdivision of a company, typically with a headquarters and two or more squads, usually led by a lieutenant

the covert gathering of information for political, military, or economic purposes, often conducted by intelligence agencies

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

a person who participates in irregular fighting as a member of an unofficial military group

a fierce and intense attack, often with the goal of overwhelming the opponent

the military equipment and weaponry used by a country or military force

big heavy guns that are attached on top of moving wheels or tracks

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

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

bullets, shells, or other projectiles used in firearms

a large weapon that was used in ancient times to throw stones or other objects with great force

a portable rocket launcher designed for use against tanks and armored vehicles

to thrust or strike with a long-pointed weapon

fragments from an explosion, causing damage to surroundings

an early firearm with a long barrel, used by infantry from the 16th to 18th centuries

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

a public fight involving a group of people, typically causing a disturbance or public disorder

an attack by aircraft, typically involving the dropping of bombs, on a location or a series of locations

an extremely brutal act, especially in war

an area in hostile territory captured and secured as a foothold for further troops and supplies

an individual who is forced to flee from a dangerous place or region

a military stronghold where soldiers are stationed for defense

to carry out a sudden and intense military attack

to plunder, typically during times of war or civil unrest

to steal goods from a place or person, especially during times of war, chaos, or civil disorder

to attack ground targets, such as enemy troops or installations, with gunfire from low-flying aircraft

to maneuver around the side of an enemy force, position, or defensive line in order to gain a tactical advantage

to destroy someone or something completely

to defeat someone completely and decisively