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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Recent Examples of belligerence
From top to bottom, this administration embodies the perversity, ignorance and belligerence of its leader.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Israel’s belligerence is another complicating factor.
—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Malcolm's daughter is struggling in life and school, but her father's genetic toolkit only has belligerence, impulsiveness and thickheadedness, passed on by his on-screen parents.
—
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
But the real change might be in East Asia, where Kim’s belligerence and rising fears regarding China’s designs on self-ruling Taiwan had already reenergized the nuclear debate.
—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Israel’s belligerence is another complicating factor.
—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Malcolm's daughter is struggling in life and school, but her father's genetic toolkit only has belligerence, impulsiveness and thickheadedness, passed on by his on-screen parents.
—
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
But the real change might be in East Asia, where Kim’s belligerence and rising fears regarding China’s designs on self-ruling Taiwan had already reenergized the nuclear debate.
—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerence
Noun
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Ukraine has every right to attack Russia’s military infrastructure that sustains its aggression.
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Issues could include insomnia, aggression, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to psychotropic medication and exacerbation of existing mental illness -- like anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.
Noun
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Dillon Thieneman’s speed Since draft night in April, Thieneman has been lauded for his combination of speed, instincts and aggressiveness.
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This is a lineup structured to thrive with a small-ball approach — high batting average, chaos and aggressiveness on the basepaths, and manufacturing runs.
Noun
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Engelbert has consistently mismanaged the overt physical hostility directed at the league's biggest star.
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Today, however, some experts suggest that explicit displays of racial hostility have become more visible in public spaces.
Cite this Entry
“Belligerence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerence. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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