A situation in which opposed parties refrain from direct conflict but maintain a tense, contentious relationship in which each uses annoyances or intimidating psychological tactics to attempt to dishearten and unnerve the other
We assume that a dangerous brinkmanship, a war of nerves, is under way, but it will not grow into a hot war, the official told Tass.
Warfare or other physical conflict in which one or more combatting parties use especially demoralizing and frightening tactics to attempt to unnerve their opponents
In the future, war will not merely be one of men and machines, it will be a war of wills and a war of nerves..
A war of nerves is a conflict in which the opposing sides try to make each other feel less confident. the continuing war of nerves between the army and the leadership. A conflict marked by psychological tactics, such as intimidation and threats, that are intended to confuse, exhaust, and demoralize an enemy. an attempt to make an enemy worried, and to destroy their courage by threatening them, spreading false information etc