war-torn

UK: ˈwɔː.tɔːn | US: ˈwɔːr.tɔːrn

Definition

  1. adj. severely damaged or devastated by war

  2. adj. (figuratively) deeply affected by conflict or strife

Structure
war <conflict>torn <damaged>
Etymology

The compound "war-torn" combines "war" (Old English wyrre, meaning armed conflict) with "torn" (past participle of "tear," from Old English teran, meaning to rip apart). The term emerged in the 19th century to describe regions physically ravaged by war, later extending metaphorically to describe emotional or social devastation. The imagery of "torn" evokes literal destruction (e.g., torn buildings) and abstract fragmentation (e.g., torn societies).

Examples

  1. The war-torn city struggled to rebuild its infrastructure.

  2. Refugees fled the war-torn region in search of safety.

  3. Her memoir recounts her childhood in a war-torn country.

  4. The novel explores the psychological scars of war-torn families.

  5. Aid organizations prioritize assistance to war-torn areas.