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
Over the last several years, the two powers have butted heads over trade and technology, Russia’s war on Ukraine, and Beijing’s belligerence in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
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Foreign Affairs, 9 Jan. 2025
Kickstart Your Day with The Morning Jolt Apparently, the rule is: belligerence toward our friends, tenderness toward our enemies, or some of them.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 15 Jan. 2025
In the last decade, North Korean belligerence has spurred the creation of an innovative defense industrial base in South Korea, which now exports to clients globally.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Leaders in Europe have repeatedly warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression would not just stop at Ukraine, as maps by Newsweek show potential flashpoints if Moscow were to take its belligerence further on the continent.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for belligerence 
Foreign Affairs, 9 Jan. 2025
Kickstart Your Day with The Morning Jolt Apparently, the rule is: belligerence toward our friends, tenderness toward our enemies, or some of them.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 15 Jan. 2025
In the last decade, North Korean belligerence has spurred the creation of an innovative defense industrial base in South Korea, which now exports to clients globally.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Leaders in Europe have repeatedly warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression would not just stop at Ukraine, as maps by Newsweek show potential flashpoints if Moscow were to take its belligerence further on the continent.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for belligerence
Thesaurus Entries Near belligerence
Cite this Entry
“Belligerence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belligerence. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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