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
On October 15, 1924, André Breton published a manifesto that was as notable for its belligerence as its egotism.
—
Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Wolff said Xi may not be ready to take Taiwan by force yet as there are other hotspots in the South China Sea where the U.S. potentially would be obliged to intervene against Chinese belligerence, such as the Philippines.
—John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Emboldened by four years of appeasement policies, the CCP is on the march — escalating its military activities, conducting aggressive drills around Taiwan, and increasing its belligerence in the South China Sea.
—Arthur Herman, National Review, 3 Apr. 2025
The country has swung wildly in its hawkishness, from the isolationism of the 1930s to the belligerence of the early 1980s.
—Alexandra Chinchilla, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Wolff said Xi may not be ready to take Taiwan by force yet as there are other hotspots in the South China Sea where the U.S. potentially would be obliged to intervene against Chinese belligerence, such as the Philippines.
—John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Emboldened by four years of appeasement policies, the CCP is on the march — escalating its military activities, conducting aggressive drills around Taiwan, and increasing its belligerence in the South China Sea.
—Arthur Herman, National Review, 3 Apr. 2025
The country has swung wildly in its hawkishness, from the isolationism of the 1930s to the belligerence of the early 1980s.
—Alexandra Chinchilla, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belligerence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belligerence
Noun
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Both cited trade deadline aggression from general manager Brian Cashman as their reason for picking the Yankees.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 July 2025
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Gone is the bulky cladding, revealing the raw aggression of the Wilbers chassis, boxer engine, and extra-long swingarm.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 July 2025
Noun
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In addition, citizenship can be revoked if an individual commits certain actions, including treason, serving in a foreign military engaged in hostilities against the U.S., or renouncing citizenship.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
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Advertisement Yet Indo-Pak relations haven’t always been defined by hostility alone.—
Sam Dalrymple,
Time,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belligerence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerence. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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