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
What To Know There have been tensions over NATO accusing Russia of sabotaging vessels in the Baltic Sea and claims of hybrid warfare around what is dubbed the NATO Lake as the alliance's members move to combat Moscow's belligerence in the region.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Beijing’s belligerence should help the Pentagon keep stitching together tighter security relationships—and perhaps establish more military basing opportunities—in the Indo-Pacific.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The national community could be knit together without indulging the chauvinism of belligerence.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
But the long-term consequences of his economic belligerence have been largely negative for all involved.
—Jonathan Berkshire Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Beijing’s belligerence should help the Pentagon keep stitching together tighter security relationships—and perhaps establish more military basing opportunities—in the Indo-Pacific.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The national community could be knit together without indulging the chauvinism of belligerence.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
But the long-term consequences of his economic belligerence have been largely negative for all involved.
—Jonathan Berkshire Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerence
Noun
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The Workplace Bully Forget the Hollywood version — the red-faced screamer, the open aggression bully.—
Jason Walker PsyD,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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That means reducing aggression, agitation, and sleep disturbances.—
Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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When expectant fathers face hostility or subtle exclusion at work, the consequences can extend beyond their own careers.—
Kim Elsesser,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Questions were raised over Putin’s motives in calling the brief halt to hostilities, which came just after the Trump administration threatened to abandon peace efforts without tangible signs of progress.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belligerence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerence. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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