belligerent 1 of 2

belligerent

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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
Viv Richards was the first great One-Day batter with his belligerent batting foreshadowing what was ahead, while Sachin Tendulkar’s longevity and dominance during the format’s heyday puts him in the discussion. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 This cell just across from some very belligerent grown-ass man? Marah Eakin, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025 Even if a bill collector is rude or becomes belligerent, keep your cool. Staff, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025 Listen to this article A federal judge has ruled a Winter Park cop who fatally shot an unarmed but belligerent man at a wedding in 2022 can be personally sued for wrongful death. Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for belligerent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerent
Adjective
  • The two were very aggressive from the start of the fight, with a lot of output.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • There are also more aggressive interventions for people with severe allergies who don’t respond to other medicines like desensitization therapy, also known as allergy shots.
    Umair Irfan, Wired News, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Israel’s offensive has killed over 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally.
    Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Israel’s offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • From Myanmar comes the story of a student turned insurgent who joined a militant guerilla group set on overthrowing the country’s military junta.
    The Dial, The Dial, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Israel ended its ceasefire with the Hamas militant group and renewed its air and ground war last month.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In early 2012 several industry sources told Deadline that Disney was targeting a summer production start date and was in the process of finding an all-star cast of international martial arts sensations to play the team of warriors tasked with protecting the leading lady.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • War movies turn a lot of us into armchair warriors.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations – most of them from Afghanistan – Pakistan has not always welcomed the foreigners, subjecting them to hostile living conditions and threatening deportation over the years.
    Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Andreas typically waits until there have been three instances of potential hostile communication before asking her friend or colleague if everything is OK.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Moscow has been relying on assistance from North Korean soldiers to push back Kyiv’s advances in the Kursk region of Russia, and has been steadily advancing on the ground in eastern Ukraine, while the US attempts to broker talks that would end the conflict.
    Anna Chernova and Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The ensemble line-up playing real-life soldiers in Warfare includes Charles Melton, Will Poulter, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Joseph Quinn, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Taylor John Smith, Finn Bennett, Noah Centineo and Michael Gandolfini.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As troopers responded to the area, the wrong-way vehicle reportedly sideswiped another car on the ramp, according to state police.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The Vermont State Police agency, established in 1987, employs undercover state troopers as well as local, county and federal law-enforcement officers.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The largest such killing occurred in late September, 2024, when Russian troops shot to death 16 captured Ukrainian servicemen.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • There are also free filing options available for elderly Americans and current and former U.S. military servicemen and women.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Belligerent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerent. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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