belligerency

noun

bə-ˈlij-rən(t)-sē How to pronounce belligerency (audio)
Definition of belligerencynext
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel an inveterate belligerency that needs to be addressed by classes in anger management

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 belligerency Contrary to former President Joe Biden, our co-belligerency is not to make Ukraine safe for democracy. — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025 Furthermore, pursuant to Additional Protocol I, Article 47(1), mercenaries do not qualify as combatants, and as such, cannot benefit from the privilege of belligerency. — Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 12 June 2022 So all you're left with was this over the top belligerency of the president, which didn't go over well with people. — NBC News, 4 Oct. 2020 This is also the right time to demonstrate to North Korea that we will not be intimidated or blackmailed by Pyongyang's belligerency. — chicagotribune.com, 6 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerency
  1. aggression
  2. aggressiveness
  3. hostility
Noun
  • These can range from infidelity and intimidation to aggression and extreme violence.
    — David DeMatteo, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • On the other hand, Washington cannot allow Chinese aggression against its neighbors.
    — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • Furthermore, CNNs are exceeding in disease detection and predicting disease aggressiveness and patient prognosis.
    — Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
  • So will the aggressiveness of the defender after giving up a rebound.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • That does not mean that everyone who supports a ban is motivated by hostility toward women.
    — Jesse Rhodes, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Weil offers an extreme version of this hostility to the self.
    — James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostility

Browse Nearby Words

belligerence
belligerency
belligerent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Belligerency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerency. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on belligerency

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about belligerency

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All