as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
the dominant male wolf was able to withstand the belligerence of younger challengers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of belligerence
At the same time, observers in Washington and Seoul have become hopeful that growing public support in South Korea for developing an independent nuclear deterrent might provide Beijing with another compelling reason to renew its efforts to restrain the North’s belligerence.
—
Shuxian Luo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2025
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Finland, plus the heads of the European Commission and NATO, took part in a largely harmonious charm offensive meant to guide Trump back to a footing of support for the U.S. ally facing Russian belligerence.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
Its outcome defines European security and Chinese belligerence over the next decade.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2025
For a certain stripe of critic, the problem with liberal internationalism isn’t its belligerence but its benevolence.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Shuxian Luo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2025
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Finland, plus the heads of the European Commission and NATO, took part in a largely harmonious charm offensive meant to guide Trump back to a footing of support for the U.S. ally facing Russian belligerence.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
Its outcome defines European security and Chinese belligerence over the next decade.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2025
For a certain stripe of critic, the problem with liberal internationalism isn’t its belligerence but its benevolence.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerence
Noun
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Neuroscience also reveals how collective memory and leadership dynamics can steer a society toward increasing aggression or maintaining peace.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Tyrer had the insidious condition caused by repetitive head trauma and known to cause aggression, mood swings, depression and paranoia.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Thursday, the Red Wings managed to play smart hockey without sacrificing their aggressiveness.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Yet despite the cancer's aggressiveness, its hormone-sensitive nature offers a viable treatment pathway, according to the National Cancer Institute.—
Molly Nagle,
ABC News,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Tel Aviv activists hold silent vigils mourning Gaza’s children, confronting public hostility with quiet resilience.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
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The end of hostilities could also revive deals like a joint venture between BP and Abu Dhabi’s national oil company, which had been paused during the war.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belligerence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerence. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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