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belligerence

noun
bel·​lig·​er·​ence | \ bə-ˈlij-rən(t)s How to pronounce belligerence (audio) , -ˈli-jə-\

Definition of belligerence

: an aggressive or truculent attitude, atmosphere, or disposition
Synonyms & Antonyms Belligerent, Belligerents, and Belligerence Example Sentences Learn More about belligerence

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Belligerent, Belligerents, and Belligerence

Belligerent may function as either an adjective or a noun. As an adjective, it has two primary meanings, each of which corresponds to the two senses of its noun form.

The older sense (“waging war”) is generally used to refer to the actions or combatants of a nation at war, or to the nation itself ("belligerent operations"; "belligerent troops"; “the belligerent state”); it is paralleled by the earliest sense of the noun, “a nation at war” (“the belligerents assembled at the peace conference”). The second sense of belligerent (“inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness”), which usually applies to persons or animals, or to their attitudes or actions, likewise parallels the second sense of the noun (“a person taking part in a fight”). A related noun belligerence refers to “an aggressive or truculent attitude, atmosphere, or disposition” that can be either individual or global.

Examples of belligerence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 But that does not preclude the fact that many people, trolls not least, may genuinely have these questions and feelings, and that their belligerence may mask, at some level, a desire to be persuaded otherwise. — The New York Times Magazine, New York Times, "Readers Respond to the 4.8.18 Issue," 18 Apr. 2018 But for the most part, his belligerence and incoherence was treated as a point of fact, rather than an unprecedented horror show. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "This debate is taking place on Earth 2.," 27 June 2019 The belligerence may not only be coming from the American side. — Alex Ward, Vox, "The US is sending 1,000 more troops to the Middle East to counter Iran," 18 June 2019 Tusk has described Trump’s abrasiveness as a challenge for Europe equal to China’s expanding economic power or Russia’s belligerence. — Washington Post, "Friend or foe at NATO? Who knows when Trump comes to dinner," 10 July 2018 Tusk has described Trump's abrasiveness as a challenge for Europe equal to China's expanding economic power or Russia's belligerence. — Raf Casert, Fox News, "Friend or foe at NATO? Who knows when Trump comes to dinner," 10 July 2018 Yet even during this era of intense Southern belligerence, Douglass coupled militancy with pragmatism. — John Stauffer, WSJ, "‘Frederick Douglass’ Review: His Tongue the Pen of God," 11 Oct. 2018 The judge denied the accusations with force that sometimes veered into belligerence. — Julyssa Lopez, Glamour, "Brett Kavanaugh Has Been Confirmed to the Supreme Court," 6 Oct. 2018 But Iran’s compliance is tenuous, and further belligerence from the US could give Tehran a reason to stop abiding by the deal’s limitations. — Zack Beauchamp, Vox, "Trump’s tweet to Iran threatens a war that would in all likelihood be absolutely catastrophic.," 23 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'belligerence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of belligerence

1814, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for belligerence

see belligerent

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