as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
the dominant male wolf was able to withstand the belligerence of younger challengers
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Recent Examples of belligerence
But the real change might be in East Asia, where Kim’s belligerence and rising fears regarding China’s designs on self-ruling Taiwan had already reenergized the nuclear debate.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Having worked with people of all types, with agenda’s, belligerence, ultimately, short of a mental illness, there’s a way to get things done with people who think differently, etc.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Balich and other Olympic leaders already have their hands full maintaining order at a time of rising belligerence.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
The belligerence is likely to only grow as Republicans relish the opportunity to grill longtime political foes under oath.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Having worked with people of all types, with agenda’s, belligerence, ultimately, short of a mental illness, there’s a way to get things done with people who think differently, etc.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Balich and other Olympic leaders already have their hands full maintaining order at a time of rising belligerence.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
The belligerence is likely to only grow as Republicans relish the opportunity to grill longtime political foes under oath.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerence
Noun
-
Minnesota is playing with aggression.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Throughout the regular season, Donte DiVincenzo was used to being the one who had to set the tone for Minnesota with his effort and aggression.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some Trump-boosting podcasters and influencers cheered the FCC’s aggressiveness on Tuesday.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Not long into his second term, Bush sat uncomfortably as Stephen Colbert, then a Comedy Central host, hammered him with an aggressiveness unusual for the dinner.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the chancellor struggled to imagine how such an end of hostilities could be reached that would satisfy the White House.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The hostility to literature felt by some of the architects of the Red Scare is well established.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belligerence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerence. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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