Synonyms of belligerence

belligerence

noun

bə-ˈlij-rən(t)s 

as in aggression

an inclination to fight or quarrel

the dominant male wolf was able to withstand the belligerence of younger challengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aggression
• aggressiveness
• hostility
• defiance
• bellicosity
• belligerency
• pugnacity
• combativeness
• fight
• militancy
• truculence
• militance
• contentiousness
• feistiness
• assaultiveness
• scrappiness
• quarrelsomeness
• disputatiousness
• irritability
• antagonism
• fierceness
• unfriendliness
• chip on one's shoulder
• jingoism
• militarism
• imperialism
• militantness
• petulance
• rudeness
• surliness
• peevishness
• testiness
• irascibility
• irritableness
• grumpiness
• crankiness
• orneriness
• fractiousness
• querulousness
• crossness
• disagreeableness
• grouchiness
• fretfulness
• hyperaggressiveness
• biliousness
• huffiness
• acidity
• pettishness
• captiousness
• waspishness
• irascibleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pacifism
• nonaggression
• friendliness
• benevolence
• cordiality
• sociability
• gentleness
• geniality
• affability
• amiability
• graciousness
• pleasantness
• antimilitarism
• mildness
• kindliness
• complaisance
• anti-imperialism
• amicability
• antiaggression
• amenability
• placability

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of belligerence

The story goes that the Roman god Saturn, fed up with human belligerence, threw a thunderbolt that split the earth open and created a crater from which sprang miraculous, calming water. — Chiara Barzini, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2026

Indeed, with Iran’s refusal to end hostilities on unfavorable terms and willingness to fight to the end, alongside Israel’s belligerence and desire to disintegrate the Iranian state, risks of further escalation remain. — Alexander Langlois, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026

From top to bottom, this administration embodies the perversity, ignorance and belligerence of its leader. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026

This family's nonstop antisocial behavior and mindless belligerence and myopic priorities are toxic to me. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2026