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
On October 15, 1924, André Breton published a manifesto that was as notable for its belligerence as its egotism.
—
Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Wolff said Xi may not be ready to take Taiwan by force yet as there are other hotspots in the South China Sea where the U.S. potentially would be obliged to intervene against Chinese belligerence, such as the Philippines.
—John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Emboldened by four years of appeasement policies, the CCP is on the march — escalating its military activities, conducting aggressive drills around Taiwan, and increasing its belligerence in the South China Sea.
—Arthur Herman, National Review, 3 Apr. 2025
The country has swung wildly in its hawkishness, from the isolationism of the 1930s to the belligerence of the early 1980s.
—Alexandra Chinchilla, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Wolff said Xi may not be ready to take Taiwan by force yet as there are other hotspots in the South China Sea where the U.S. potentially would be obliged to intervene against Chinese belligerence, such as the Philippines.
—John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Emboldened by four years of appeasement policies, the CCP is on the march — escalating its military activities, conducting aggressive drills around Taiwan, and increasing its belligerence in the South China Sea.
—Arthur Herman, National Review, 3 Apr. 2025
The country has swung wildly in its hawkishness, from the isolationism of the 1930s to the belligerence of the early 1980s.
—Alexandra Chinchilla, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerence
Noun
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On the other hand, a sales executive role emphasizes influence and communication, making manipulative tactics, aggression and toxic humor as more concerning.—
Darrin Lipscomb,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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The statistics — more passes, more involvement in build-up, better aerial aggression — reinforce what the eye test shows.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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There is a clear correlation between being the victim of hostility and suffering from negative mental health or even physical health.—
Jo Causon,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Time and again the president has expressed optimism after speaking with Putin about winding down the hostilities.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belligerence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerence. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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