belligerent
7 synonyms and 3 antonyms for belligerent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Hostile and aggressive; eager to fight or argue.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Hostile and aggressive; eager to fight or argue.
“He got belligerent as soon as someone questioned his decision.”
Opposites
How to use belligerent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a belligerent tone
belligerent nations
grow belligerent
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.
Full origin of belligerent →Frequently asked questions
What does “belligerent” mean?
The word “belligerent” means hostile and aggressive; eager to fight or argue. In plain terms, spoiling for a fight — either literally at war, or just acting hostile and combative in an argument.
How do you pronounce “belligerent”?
“Belligerent” is pronounced buh-LIHJ-uh-ruhnt (/bəˈlɪd͡ʒ.ɚ.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “belligerent” in a sentence?
Here is “belligerent” used in a sentence: “He got belligerent as soon as someone questioned his decision.”
What is the opposite of “belligerent”?
The opposite of “belligerent” — its antonyms — are conciliatory, friendly and peaceful.
What part of speech is “belligerent”?
Depending on how it is used, “belligerent” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “belligerent” come from?
The word “belligerent” comes from Latin. 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.
How many meanings does “belligerent” have?
“Belligerent” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: hostile and aggressive; eager to fight or argue.
