World War III

== English == === Alternative forms === World War Three === Pronunciation === === Proper noun === World War III A hypothetical world war following World War II. ==== Usage notes ==== During the Cold War, this term implied instantaneous world destruction. With the various subsequent conventional wars, such an implication is becoming much less common. It is now more often used colloquially to exaggerate personal arguments, such as conflicts within a nuclear family. ==== Synonyms ==== Third World War ==== Related terms ==== world war World War I World War II World War IV ==== Translations ====