This article, written for the Intimacies of Remote Warfare programme, delves into the complex language surrounding military engagement, focusing on a press briefing by Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh in January 2024. It examines the US airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen, exploring how the US government avoids framing these actions as "war" despite their escalating nature. Through a critical analysis of language, politics, and accountability, the piece highlights the role of rhetoric in shaping public perception of military interventions, raising important questions about what constitutes war and the strategic use of semantics in international conflict.