belligerence

[buh-lij-er-uh ns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR belligerence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a warlike or aggressively hostile nature, condition, or attitude.

an act of carrying on war; warfare.

Origin of belligerence

First recorded in 1805–15; belliger(ent) + -ence

Can be confusedbelligerence belligerents

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for belligerence

aggressiveness, antagonism, pugnacity, truculence, bellicosity, aggression, truculency, belligerency, animosity, hostility, argumentativeness, pugnaciousness

Examples from the Web for belligerence

Contemporary Examples of belligerence

Grayson himself sees little political downside to his belligerence.
The Democrats' Joe Wilson?
Benjamin Sarlin
October 1, 2009
As a Marine, I learned that peace is predicated on compromise, not superior firepower or belligerence.
Mission Accomplished?
Zachary Iscol
June 29, 2009

Historical Examples of belligerence

"Don't be so sure of that," Al retorted, with a flash of belligerence.
When God Laughs and Other Stories
Jack London
He was red with belligerence; Aunt Caroline had the composure of placid adamant.
Good References
E. J. Rath
Belligerence, mere combativeness, is a masculine attribute; but courage is not.
The home
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Ted lost his belligerence; the warden was his father's friend.
Double Challenge
James Arthur Kjelgaard
There was a mixture of belligerence and distress in their actions.
Deadly City
Paul W. Fairman

British Dictionary definitions for belligerence

belligerence

noun

the act or quality of being belligerent or warlike; aggressiveness

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for belligerence

1814; see belligerent + -ence. Related: belligerency.