belligerence
Americannoun
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a warlike or aggressively hostile nature, condition, or attitude.
-
an act of carrying on war; warfare.
noun
Etymology
Origin of belligerence
First recorded in 1805–15; belliger(ent) + -ence
Explanation
Belligerence is a natural disposition to be hostile or aggressive, or a warlike attitude. The belligerence of Roman gladiators made them excel in battle and instilled fear in their opponents. Belligerence in people is characterized by a tendency to pick fights or be aggressive toward others. It can be something in your nature, if you're, say, a bully, or it can be an attitude you summon in the heat of battle, as when you're going up against a rival sports team. One thing's for sure, though, there is nothing peaceful about belligerence, which, when displayed by armies or countries, can lead to devastating wars.
Vocabulary lists containing belligerence
Lord of the Flies
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Fighting Words: Belli and Milit
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Ungifted
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At the same time, the U.S. and its allies in the region have expressed alarm over North Korea’s increasing belligerence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
“I’m happy, I’m successful … All I had to do is stay completely away from my family,” whose “nonstop antisocial behavior and mindless belligerence and mindless priorities are toxic to me.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026
Under international law, none of these three steps would constitute escalated belligerence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025
Not a ton, at least as far as new intelligence, input from allies, or Iranian belligerence.
From Slate ● Jun. 17, 2025
Lee could see the reactions flaring through Cal—the rage at insult, the belligerence, and the hurt feelings following behind and out of that—just the beginning of relief.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
