belligerency

[buh-lij-er-uhn-see]

noun

1. the position or status as a belligerent; state of being actually engaged in war.

2. belligerence.

belligerency

/ bɪˈlɪdʒərənsɪ /

noun

1. the state of being at war

Word History and Origins

Origin of belligerency¹

First recorded in 1860–65; belliger(ent) + -ency

Example Sentences

"We do want to have the region come to terms between all the countries and agree against any belligerency from any side to any other."

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His belligerency and weapons programs make it difficult.

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There’s long been controversy in Japan over Article 9 of the national constitution, which bans war as a method of settling international disputes, renounces “belligerency” and limits the country to fighting only in self-defense.

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“Deterrence arises from strength and never from weakness, because weakness invites belligerency,” Mr. Pompeo said.

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As Rosenberg notes, “The list of violent episodes would grow throughout the period of American belligerency and included, according to one account, the stoning of dachshunds on the streets of Milwaukee.”

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