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 Word Forms

• belligerently adverb
• interbelligerent adjective
• unbelligerent adjective
• unbelligerently 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

His tenure has sparked discord in the office, with dozens of prosecutors quitting in the face of his belligerent, scream-first management style.

From Los Angeles Times

Both were belligerent, taking the fight to the Lions, forcing the tourists on to the back foot, making them concede yard upon yard and penalty upon penalty.

From BBC

But a different kind of war between their citizens is already raging - via increasingly belligerent exchanges on social media.

From BBC

His belligerent management style and clear partisanship are helping drive out veteran lawyers, according to interviews with several current and former prosecutors who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

From Los Angeles Times

Certainly, there's been stuff said and written about him not quite being at his brilliant and belligerent best, but that's fair comment.

From BBC

Related Words

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