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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
  • The goal is gentle smoke and indirect heat rather than aggressive flames.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Right now, the multi-trillion-dollar global apparel industry is undergoing an aggressive technological shift, adopting artificial intelligence as a production standard rather than an experimental pilot.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 July 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
  • Yet Piker himself has followed the DSA’s militant line, repeatedly praising authoritarian regimes such as China’s, Cuba’s, and Russia’s, as well as terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
    Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
  • There are also concerns that fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon could escalate once more and derail future talks.
    Tiago Ventura, Time, 30 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
  • And until a Black commentator is held responsible for making openly hostile remarks about White people, nothing will change.
    Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • For example, in March, the crypto exchange Kraken put its multibillion‑dollar IPO on hold amid hostile market conditions, according to CoinDesk.
    Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 2 July 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 5 Jul. 2026.

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