as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
the player became quite belligerent and was thrown out of the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in combatant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran are increasingly belligerent and increasingly operating in concert.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Iran had initially downplayed the impact of Israel’s strikes on its military facilities, but in recent days has begun to voice increasingly belligerent rhetoric.
—Aurora Almendral, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2024
The open sore of Gaza – a conflict without a perceivable end, or idea solution for coexistence and political accommodation for the Palestinians – shows how belligerent the current war cabinet can be when faced with larger strategic decisions.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for belligerent 
Adjective
Mike seemed perfectly willing to negotiate with that crooked Nevada senator until the man got belligerent and racist and insulted Michael’s family.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran are increasingly belligerent and increasingly operating in concert.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Iran had initially downplayed the impact of Israel’s strikes on its military facilities, but in recent days has begun to voice increasingly belligerent rhetoric.
—Aurora Almendral, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2024
The open sore of Gaza – a conflict without a perceivable end, or idea solution for coexistence and political accommodation for the Palestinians – shows how belligerent the current war cabinet can be when faced with larger strategic decisions.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for belligerent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerent
Adjective
-
Kristin talks with peers, peers’ parents, and every staff member, explaining how the dog is trained, how to behave around it, and soothing any worries regarding potential aggressive actions.Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
-
Atlanta’s aggressive defense disrupted the Knicks’ rhythm early and often.Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
According to Gaza's health ministry—which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures—the conflict has claimed the lives of 45,000 Palestinians.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
-
Between songs, ensemble members deliver brief monologues from individual combatants and others, drawn from letters, diaries and other documents.Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Iran continues to play a key role in regional conflicts, supporting militant groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, further complicating its diplomatic relations.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
-
However, the militant group cautioned that hurdles remain.Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
So resigning Myers — a warrior who’s just hitting his prime — should be a top priority.Rob Reischel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
-
However, a Roman warrior named Silvius Brabo slayed him, severing the giant’s own hand and throwing it in the river—the scene showcased in the main square’s 1887 Brabo Fountain.Tim Chester, AFAR Media, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
In story mode, there are a few other people to find on the island, some of whom will be helpful and others hostile.Jason Bennett, arkansasonline.com, 15 Dec. 2024
-
For example – in the run-up to this year’s U.S. presidential election, former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff Miles Taylor observed that hostile states intending to spread disruption no longer need to influence the vote itself.Bernard Marr, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 American, British and Canadian soldiers arrived on a 50-mile stretch of France’s coastline in what was the largest amphibious attack in history.Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
-
But the few tanks the brigade still has left are going out fighting, engaging Russian paratroopers and marines—and potentially North Korean soldiers—along the edge of the 250-square-mile salient Ukrainian forces carved out of Kursk Oblast in western Russia back in August.David Axe, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Four state troopers extensively searched the car and repeatedly interrogated both Clayborne and Williams throughout the two-and-a-half-hour traffic stop at a gas station off Interstate 24, according to the lawsuit.Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
-
Dispatch advised troopers that the suspect, a man, had left the residence on foot.Staff report, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
As a result of the strike, 18 servicemen were killed and another 33 were injured to varying degrees of severity.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
-
The Navy serviceman, killed in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, was identified decades later.Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near belligerent
Cite this Entry
“Belligerent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerent. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share