"Hot war," which refers to a conventional warfare with weapons and physical combat, can be substituted with various synonyms to add some nuance in writing. Some alternatives include "shooting war," which emphasizes the use of guns and weapons, while "kinetic war" highlights the inherent physical movement that is part of the conflict. "Open warfare" can denote a more traditional form of fighting, while "active warfare" refers to the ongoing state of fighting. "Conventional war" and "ground war" are other synonyms that focus on the weapons and territory involved. Ultimately, choosing the right synonym depends on the context and tone of the writing.