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belligerent

adjective
bel·​lig·​er·​ent | \ bə-ˈlij-rənt How to pronounce belligerent (audio) , -ˈli-jə-\

Definition of belligerent

1 : inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness
2 : waging war specifically : belonging to or recognized as a state at war and protected by and subject to the laws of war
Other Words from belligerent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Belligerent, Belligerents, and Belligerence Example Sentences Learn More about belligerent

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Other Words from belligerent

belligerent noun
belligerently adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for belligerent

belligerent, bellicose, pugnacious, quarrelsome, contentious mean having an aggressive or fighting attitude. belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities. belligerent nations bellicose suggests a disposition to fight. a drunk in a bellicose mood pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat. a pugnacious gangster quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause. the heat made us all quarrelsome contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling. wearied by his contentious disposition

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 belligerent in a Sentence


 it took very little alcohol to make him belligerent, and he became even more thuggish and incoherent when he threw in a few sleeping pills as well. — Christopher Hitchens, New York Times Book Review, 8 Oct. 2000 Coots are belligerent, territorial, quick-tempered birds. Nothing irritates a coot like another coot 
 — Kenneth Brower, Smithsonian, December 1998 Instead, we revered the guys on the streets, the thugs who were brazen and belligerent. They wore their hats backwards, left their belt buckles unfastened and shoelaces untied. — Nathan McCall, Washington Post, 25-31 Mar. 1991 She was a brigantine, a small two-masted vessel, refitted for belligerent action in the newly created American Navy. — Barbara W. Tuchman, The First Salute, 1988 He was drunk and belligerent. the coach became quite belligerent and spit at an umpire after being thrown out of the game
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Drivers are either ignorant or belligerent, take your pick. — Gary Richards, The Mercury News, "‘Just because you’re signaling doesn’t mean I have to let you in’: Roadshow," 23 Aug. 2019 The belligerent remarks combined with China’s announcement of counter-tariffs — a show of resolve on Beijing’s part — marked a notable worsening of the trade dispute, which has gone on for more than a year. — Los Angeles Times, "Trump raises tariffs on China and threatens Fed chairman; markets tumble," 23 Aug. 2019 An employee of a business in the 9800 block of Milwaukee Avenue reported July 28 that someone who ordered food through the drive-thru was belligerent and began threatening and yelling obscenities. — Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Wauconda man charged with unlawfully videotaping someone in a Glenview bathroom: Police," 7 Aug. 2019 The talk from the powers that be is much more belligerent and hostile. — Obed Manuel, Dallas News, "U.S. citizen’s detention is a reminder that mixed-status families can feel trapped along the border," 4 Aug. 2019 LaFleur wrote in a report that Stapf was intoxicated, belligerent, argumentative, refusing to follow commands and physically resisting arrest. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "2 DeLand officers fired after lying about man ‘resisting arrest'," 1 Aug. 2019 The suspect tussled with staff and police as he was removed from the building, and became even more belligerent when outside. — cleveland.com, "Drunk driver rams fire hydrant, smokes marijuana while waiting for officers to arrive: Cleveland Heights police blotter," 19 July 2019 Machado wasn’t belligerent, threatening or anywhere close to it. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Machado’s ‘bet’ with Dodgers fan shows off new Padres edge," 6 July 2019 As Iran turns more belligerent, calls for action will grow, not least from his own party (see article). — The Economist, "As America and Iran inch closer to war, new talks are needed," 28 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'belligerent.' 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 belligerent

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for belligerent

modification of Latin belligerant-, belligerans, present participle of belligerare to wage war, from belliger waging war, from bellum war + gerere to wage

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More Definitions for belligerent

belligerent

adjective
How to pronounce belligerent (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of belligerent

: angry and aggressive : feeling or showing readiness to fight
formal : fighting a war : engaged in a war

See the full definition for belligerent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

belligerent

adjective
bel·​lig·​er·​ent | \ bə-ˈli-jə-rənt

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