Synonyms of belligerent

belligerent 1 of 2

adjective

bə-ˈlij-rənt 

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight

the player became quite belligerent and was thrown out of the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aggressive
• militant
• hostile
• irritable
• contentious
• confrontational
• assaultive
• bellicose
• combative
• pugnacious
• warlike
• acidic
• ugly
• quarrelsome
• truculent
• feisty
• fierce
• argumentative
• agonistic
• rude
• savage
• vicious
• disputatious
• scrappy
• chippy
• gladiatorial
• antagonistic
• discordant
• on the warpath
• brawly
• petulant
• fighting
• irascible
• cross
• ornery
• surly
• peevish
• snappish
• querulous
• disagreeable
• fretful
• warring
• bilious
• grumpy
• testy
• hot-tempered
• grouchy
• fractious
• pettish
• dyspeptic
• choleric
• crabby
• bristly
• waspish
• huffy
• ill-tempered
• stroppy
• battling
• touchy
• cranky
• bearish
• ill-natured
• ill-humored
• prickly
• snappy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• peaceable
• nonaggressive
• pacific
• friendly
• nonbelligerent
• amiable
• benevolent
• conciliatory
• pleasant
• unwarlike
• cordial
• gracious
• good-natured
• affable
• genial
• easygoing
• amicable
• sociable
• uncontentious
• ingratiating
• complaisant
• calm
• quiet
• kindhearted
• unbelligerent
• obliging
• uncombative
• serene
• benign
• mild
• antimilitarist
• gentle
• tranquil
• relaxed
• anti-imperialist
• good-tempered
• kindly

belligerent

2 of 2

noun

as in combatant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• combatant
• warrior
• soldier
• trooper
• serviceman
• cavalier
• legionary
• fighter
• regular
• legionnaire
• dogface
• cavalryman
• dragoon
• servicewoman
• marine
• infantryman
• grunt
• raider
• doughboy
• man-at-arms
• foot soldier
• carabinier
• cuirassier
• ranger
• artilleryman
• footman
• carabineer
• commando
• rifleman
• jarhead
• cannoneer
• gunner
• musketeer
• archer
• mortarman
• crossbowman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• civilian
• noncombatant

Synonym Chooser

How is the word belligerent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of belligerent are bellicose, contentious, pugnacious, and quarrelsome. While all these words mean "having an aggressive or fighting attitude," belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities.

belligerent nations

When would bellicose be a good substitute for belligerent?

The words bellicose and belligerent can be used in similar contexts, but bellicose suggests a disposition to fight.

a drunk in a bellicose mood

Where would contentious be a reasonable alternative to belligerent?

The synonyms contentious and belligerent are sometimes interchangeable, but contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling.

wearied by his contentious disposition

When might pugnacious be a better fit than belligerent?

While the synonyms pugnacious and belligerent are close in meaning, pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat.

a pugnacious gangster

When is it sensible to use quarrelsome instead of belligerent?

The words quarrelsome and belligerent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause.

the heat made us all quarrelsome

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of belligerent

Adjective

Despite its codification in treaty law, charging a belligerent with starvation crimes was considered too politically sensitive, too entangled with the military strategies of powerful states. —Boyd Van Dijk, Foreign Affairs, 30 Apr. 2025

On April 8, Osment was allegedly acting belligerent at a California ski lodge and was blocking people from getting on the ski lift, according to bodycam footage and other videos obtained by TMZ. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025

He’s paired, in dance and as a love interest, with a belligerent Parisian principal, Gabin Roux (Ivan du Pontavice). —Judy Berman, Time, 23 Apr. 2025

This term around, Trump has spoken in belligerent tones. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Apr. 2025