casus belli

Noun

Meaning

an event used to justify starting a war

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

cause reason offense justification harassment insult dare defy provocation annoyance instigation inducement grievance affront brickbat
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Antonyms

result prevention opposition answer explanation conclusion
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Hypernyms

beginning

Examples

In 1995, the Turkish National Assembly declared casus belli (cause of war) a possible extension of Greek territorial waters in the Aegean to 12 miles, authorising the government to take all necessary measures if Greece made such a move. Source: Internet

One of the stated casus belli for the initiation of the 2003 Iraq War was an accusation by the United States that Iraq was actively pursuing nuclear arms (though this was soon discovered not to be the case as the program had been discontinued). Source: Internet

Incidentally, it was not the so-called bloated list that caused the five month electoral troubles, in the circumstances the current voters’ list should not be the casus belli. Source: Internet

Economic factors were a common casus belli. Source: Internet

However, the initial casus belli was claimed to be support for a Kuwaiti rebellion. Source: Internet

Sinop provided the United Kingdom and France with the casus belli ("cause for war") for declaring war against Russia. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

Casumbazar Casuntingan casus casus foederis casus fortuitus casus omissus