as in makeup
preparations intended to beautify the face
when I was young, I loved to watch Mom put on her war paint before a fancy evening out
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Recent Examples of war paint
On stage, drag artist Aphrodite Banks is a femme fatale: Caked in war paint, with a waterfall of braids whipping around her waist, she’s possessed of the white-hot glare and forthright confidence to match her Amazonian height and bearing.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Feb. 2023
This is my war paint.
—Kelly Boutsalis, refinery29.com, 22 June 2021
My father used to call it war paint.
—Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Apr. 2021
Military news stories throughout the Iraq war paint a similarly sanguine picture.
—Andrew Shaver, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2015
See All Example Sentences for war paint
Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Feb. 2023
This is my war paint.
—Kelly Boutsalis, refinery29.com, 22 June 2021
My father used to call it war paint.
—Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Apr. 2021
Military news stories throughout the Iraq war paint a similarly sanguine picture.
—Andrew Shaver, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2015
See All Example Sentences for war paint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for war paint
Noun
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Research found that systems were less likely to accurately classify the faces of women with darker complexions and that certain makeup patterns could render the technology null.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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This cult Japanese skincare-meets-makeup hybrid is an ultra-fine powder to even out skin tone, soften the look of pores, and reduce shine, leaving a translucent finish with subtle coverage.—
Anita Bhagwandas,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Sixers commanded the paint in the first, outscoring the Celtics 12-4 in the lane and putting center Neemias Queta in early foul trouble for the second time in three games.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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One of Nashville’s most beloved bookstores is nestled in a homely strip mall between a running store and a paint shop—founded in 2011 by novelist Ann Patchett and Karen Hayes (who retired in 2022).—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“War paint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/war%20paint. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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