adjective
belligerent
buh-LIHJ-uh-ruhnt
adjective
1
Hostile and aggressive; eager to fight or argue.
"He got belligerent as soon as someone questioned his decision."
"The two drivers exchanged belligerent stares after the near-collision."
2
Actually engaged in war; warring.
"The treaty required all belligerent nations to lay down arms."
noun
1
A country or group actively fighting a war.
"Neither belligerent was willing to accept the ceasefire terms."
How to Use Belligerent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSpoiling for a fight — either literally at war, or just acting hostile and combative in an argument.
Common mistake
Most everyday use is about attitude (a belligerent tone in a meeting), not actual warfare — don’t assume it always means literal combat.
Easily confused with
bellicose
Common pairings
a belligerent tone
belligerent nations
grow belligerent
Word Forms
more belligerent comparative, belligerents plural, most belligerent superlative
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He got _____ as soon as someone questioned his decision.
Etymology
From Latin belligerans, "waging war," built from bellum ("war") plus a root meaning "to carry on" — the same root family as "belt" has nothing to do with, but "bellicose" definitely does.