belligerent

[ buh-lij-er-uhnt ]

adjective

1. warlike; given to waging war.
2. of warlike character; aggressively hostile; bellicose:

   a belligerent tone.

   Synonyms: contentious, antagonistic, quarrelsome, combative, truculent, pugnacious

3. waging war; engaged in war:

   a peace treaty between belligerent powers.

4. pertaining to war or to those engaged in war:

   belligerent rights.

noun

1. a state or nation at war.
2. a member of the military forces of such a state.

belligerent

/ bɪˈlɪdʒərənt /

adjective

1. marked by readiness to fight or argue; aggressive

   a belligerent tone

2. relating to or engaged in a legally recognized war or warfare

noun

1. a person or country engaged in fighting or war

Other Words From

• bel·liger·ent·ly adverb
• inter·bel·liger·ent adjective
• unbel·liger·ent adjective
• unbel·liger·ent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of belligerent¹

First recorded in 1570–80; earlier belligerant, from Latin belligerant-, stem of belligerāns “waging war,” present participle of belligerāre “to wage war,” verb derivative of belliger “warlike,” from belli- (combining form of bellum, earlier duellum “war”; duel ( def ) ) + ger(ere) “to carry, conduct, display”

Word History and Origins

Origin of belligerent¹

C16: from Latin belliger , from bellum war + gerere to wage

Example Sentences

The FT's review celebrated veteran director, Ridley Scott, for his "stubborn charm", "belligerent swagger" and "ideas that are more pulpy and loopy".

From BBC

Oddly, they lost by more points in Edinburgh but this time they were at least creating chances, and their belligerent display up front gives encouragement for the rest of the autumn and the Six Nations.

From BBC

He impressively mixed belligerent strokes with classy drives and deft touches.

From BBC

A not-insignificant amount of Trump’s support is predicated on that notion that his outrageous rhetoric and belligerent policy proposals are merely performative — Trump being Trump, to use the shorthand.

From Los Angeles Times

The only "solution" Trump offers is permission to act out toxic masculinity "in the most belligerent way possible."

From Salon

Related Words

• aggressive
• antagonistic
• bellicose
• combative
• contentious
• hostile
• ornery
• quarrelsome