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Definition of belligerentnext

belligerent

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word belligerent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of belligerent are bellicose, contentious, pugnacious, and quarrelsome. While all these words mean "having an aggressive or fighting attitude," belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities.

belligerent nations

When would bellicose be a good substitute for belligerent?

The words bellicose and belligerent can be used in similar contexts, but bellicose suggests a disposition to fight.

a drunk in a bellicose mood

Where would contentious be a reasonable alternative to belligerent?

The synonyms contentious and belligerent are sometimes interchangeable, but contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling.

wearied by his contentious disposition

When might pugnacious be a better fit than belligerent?

While the synonyms pugnacious and belligerent are close in meaning, pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat.

a pugnacious gangster

When is it sensible to use quarrelsome instead of belligerent?

The words quarrelsome and belligerent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause.

the heat made us all quarrelsome

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of belligerent
Adjective
When he was found, deputies said Ortiz became belligerent, yelled at employees, threatened to harm them with a gun, and grabbed one of the resort employees. Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 6 May 2026 In a sea of gray-toned suits and uniforms, the woman trying to soothe her crying baby comes across as an outlier even before a belligerent young salaryman starts screaming at her for disturbing the peace. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
The opening of negotiations with the Lebanese government, which is not a belligerent in the conflict, will not immediately affect fighting against Hezbollah. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Apr. 2026 Qatar, host of the US’s Al Udeid Air Base, is effectively a belligerent of Iran, meaning that until hostilities cease, that helium isn’t getting through. Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belligerent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerent
Adjective
  • Grey-zone tactics refer to a range of aggressive tactics that vary from navy ship patrols to drone flights, but fall short of direct combat.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026
  • That will be decided in the coming hours, as the Heat remains in aggressive pursuit of a trade for Antetokounmpo.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Advertisement The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that over 1,700 Hezbollah combatants died during operations in Lebanon.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 June 2026
  • But the combatants kept grasping and tugging each other off-balance.
    Bob Brody, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • The interim deal is meant to stop fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon where Israeli forces are battling the militant Hezbollah group.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 June 2026
  • Despite an October ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas, the enclave has seen near-daily Israeli attacks that have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • Uzbek fans have reveled in the chance to showcase their country and culture, staying behind long after the matches ended to pose for photos as steppe warriors, give away the country's ubiquitous embroidered duppy skullcaps, or just joyously dance to drums.
    Charles Maynes, NPR, 27 June 2026
  • As a pirate assassin and post-apocalyptic warrior, Krem of the Yellow Hills connects with Aries.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • The complaint alleges that school officials at Southern Hills Middle School failed to stop two years of antisemitic harassment against an eighth grader even after investigations concluded the student faced a hostile environment.
    Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • Create an internal incident map and begin tagging hostile actions according to the DISARM taxonomy.
    Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Mexico sent two Mexican Air Force transport planes carrying 261 personnel, including soldiers, air force members and National Guard troops, Reuters reported.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • National Guard soldiers and airmen will be tasked with crowd control, traffic management and security patrols.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • The training brought together deputies, officers and troopers from agencies spanning rural communities across the state, including mountain towns and eastern plains communities.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • At least two people were transported to a hospital and six people died in the fire, troopers wrote.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Sherman's lawyer previously said his client was also a retired military serviceman and successful businessman.
    Richard Ramos, CBS News, 20 June 2026
  • Now, some 80 years later, researchers have uncovered the servicemen’s final resting place.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 18 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Belligerent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerent. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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