Synonyms of belligerent

belligerent 1 of 2

adjective

bə-ˈlij-rənt 

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight

the player became quite belligerent and was thrown out of the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aggressive
• militant
• hostile
• irritable
• contentious
• confrontational
• assaultive
• bellicose
• combative
• pugnacious
• warlike
• acidic
• ugly
• quarrelsome
• truculent
• feisty
• fierce
• argumentative
• agonistic
• rude
• savage
• vicious
• disputatious
• scrappy
• chippy
• gladiatorial
• antagonistic
• discordant
• on the warpath
• brawly
• petulant
• fighting
• irascible
• cross
• ornery
• surly
• peevish
• snappish
• querulous
• disagreeable
• fretful
• warring
• bilious
• grumpy
• testy
• hot-tempered
• grouchy
• fractious
• pettish
• dyspeptic
• choleric
• crabby
• bristly
• waspish
• huffy
• ill-tempered
• stroppy
• battling
• touchy
• cranky
• bearish
• ill-natured
• ill-humored
• prickly
• snappy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• peaceable
• nonaggressive
• pacific
• friendly
• nonbelligerent
• amiable
• benevolent
• conciliatory
• pleasant
• unwarlike
• cordial
• gracious
• good-natured
• affable
• genial
• easygoing
• amicable
• sociable
• uncontentious
• ingratiating
• complaisant
• calm
• quiet
• kindhearted
• unbelligerent
• obliging
• uncombative
• serene
• benign
• mild
• antimilitarist
• gentle
• tranquil
• relaxed
• anti-imperialist
• good-tempered
• kindly

belligerent

2 of 2

noun

as in combatant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• combatant
• warrior
• soldier
• trooper
• serviceman
• cavalier
• legionary
• fighter
• regular
• legionnaire
• dogface
• cavalryman
• dragoon
• servicewoman
• marine
• infantryman
• grunt
• raider
• doughboy
• man-at-arms
• foot soldier
• carabinier
• cuirassier
• ranger
• artilleryman
• footman
• carabineer
• commando
• rifleman
• jarhead
• cannoneer
• gunner
• musketeer
• archer
• mortarman
• crossbowman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• civilian
• noncombatant

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

Examples of belligerent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Brad generously shared images of the belligerent male and the female bear family with Outside. —James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 28 July 2024

And that belligerent ignorance stuck, weaving its way into the public consciousness and spreading to other facets of science including, most recently, climate change. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2024

The former president, of course, would maintain his belligerent rhetoric toward Washington’s adversaries, criticizing their depredations and acts of aggression. —Andrew Byers, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2024

The last time Kylie became the internet's favorite Kelce was in May, when video of her IRL clapback to a belligerent fan went viral. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 27 June 2024