BELLIGERENT Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'belligerent' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of belligerent are bellicose , contentious , pugnacious , and quarrelsome . While all these words mean "having an aggressive or fighting attitude," belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities. // belligerent nations

Q: When would 'bellicose' be a good substitute for 'belligerent'?

The words bellicose and belligerent can be used in similar contexts, but bellicose suggests a disposition to fight. // a drunk in a bellicose mood

Q: Where would 'contentious' be a reasonable alternative to 'belligerent'?

The synonyms contentious and belligerent are sometimes interchangeable, but contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling. // wearied by his contentious disposition

Q: When might 'pugnacious' be a better fit than 'belligerent'?

While the synonyms pugnacious and belligerent are close in meaning, pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat. // a pugnacious gangster

Q: When is it sensible to use 'quarrelsome' instead of 'belligerent'?

The words quarrelsome and belligerent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause. // the heat made us all quarrelsome

belligerent 1 of 2

adjective

bə-ˈlij-rənt

Definition of belligerent next

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight the player became quite belligerent and was thrown out of the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

belligerent

2 of 2

noun

as in combatant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word belligerent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of belligerent are bellicose, contentious, pugnacious, and quarrelsome. While all these words mean "having an aggressive or fighting attitude," belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities.

belligerent nations

When would bellicose be a good substitute for belligerent?

The words bellicose and belligerent can be used in similar contexts, but bellicose suggests a disposition to fight.

a drunk in a bellicose mood

Where would contentious be a reasonable alternative to belligerent?

The synonyms contentious and belligerent are sometimes interchangeable, but contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling.

wearied by his contentious disposition

When might pugnacious be a better fit than belligerent?

While the synonyms pugnacious and belligerent are close in meaning, pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat.

a pugnacious gangster

When is it sensible to use quarrelsome instead of belligerent?

The words quarrelsome and belligerent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause.

the heat made us all quarrelsome

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of belligerent

Adjective

He is also recognized as Jerry Grant — Fitz's (Tony Goldwyn) controlling and belligerent father — on Scandal. —

Dylan Kickham, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024 Baker tours the ramshackle, bilingual American dream of ethnic rivalries between Russians and Armenians and belligerent working-class youths addicted to sneakers and video games. —

Armond White, National Review, 18 Oct. 2024 Mars picks up the belligerent energy and attacks poor little Chiron. —

Jennifer Culp, Them, 4 Oct. 2024 That’s why Baker lingers thoughtfully on the women who arrive at the house every morning to clean up Ivan’s messes—and on the belligerent tow-truck driver who turns up to obstruct the plot but emerges, within seconds, as a harried kindred spirit. —

Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for belligerent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerent

Adjective

But the caveat is that strategy requires an aggressive sales function.

Jesse Silvertown, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Throughout the election season, Republicans and Democrats viewed Arizona's 11 electoral college votes as up for grabs, which meant both parties did aggressive campaigning throughout the state and both Trump and Harris visited on multiple occasions.

Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024