belligerent

[buh-lij-er-uhnt] / bəˈlɪdʒ ər ənt /

ADJECTIVE

nasty, argumentative

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aggressive antagonistic bellicose combative contentious hostile ornery quarrelsome

STRONG

fighting flip mean militant

WEAK

ardent at loggerheads battling cantankerous fierce have a bone to pick have chip on shoulder have it in for hot hot-tempered on the outs pugnacious scrappy truculent warlike

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable calm friendly kind peaceful

STRONG

peaceloving

WEAK

cooperative helping nice

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.

If he weren’t so visibly exhausted, he’d probably be a lot more belligerent.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2026

Stories thrive on conflict, which confers an unjust advantage upon the dysfunctional, the belligerent and the wicked.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

But Linda is the belligerent role model for everyone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

As Scotland's most belligerent ball carrier, it would enhance their chances if he is physically able to make an impact.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Pigeons could be made to look like roosters and peacocks, and dogs made short-haired, long-haired, pied, piebald, bowlegged, hairless, crop-tailed, vicious, mild-mannered, diffident, guarded, belligerent.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Vocabulary lists containing belligerent

List 3

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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 1

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A Wrinkle in Time

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