Word
belligerent
Phoneticsbel·liger·ent
US/bəˈɫɪdʒɝənt/
UK/bɪlˈɪdʒɹənt/
Definitions
01hostile or aggressive
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. behaving in a very unfriendly and aggressive way, as if you want to start a fight or an argument.
adj. exhibiting an aggressively hostile or combative attitude in social or professional interactions.
“The customer became belligerent when the manager refused to give him a refund.”
“The witness grew increasingly belligerent under cross-examination, responding to the lawyer's questions with sharp, defensive retorts.”
Teaching tip
In everyday English, this is most often used to describe someone who is angry and looking for a confrontation, often due to alcohol or stress.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02engaged in war
C2 · Proficiency Law Formal · Technical
adj. belonging to a country or group that is currently fighting a war.
adj. engaged in active warfare; specifically used in international law to describe nations at war.
“The two belligerent nations finally agreed to meet for peace talks.”
“International observers were sent to the border to ensure that neither belligerent party violated the terms of the ceasefire.”
Usage
Often used in political or legal contexts to distinguish fighting parties from neutral ones.
Antonyms
03a participant in a war
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. a person, group, or country that is taking part in a war.
n. a state or other entity recognised as a participant in a conflict under international law.
“The treaty required all belligerents to withdraw their troops from the disputed territory.”
“The Geneva Conventions establish specific protections for non-combatants that must be respected by all belligerents in a conflict.”
Usage
This noun form is almost exclusively found in academic, legal, or historical writing.
Real-World Examples
“The third is a milquetoast non-apology apology “for the distraction and distress this matter has caused”, after issuing a total and belligerent denial through your proxies.” “And it was only as the shape came into sharper focus that he realised his body had already prepared itself to deal with a far more ominous threat: a belligerent, 600lb (272kg) apex predator.” “Kim, the North has become increasingly belligerent toward the South.” Etymology
From Latin belligerans (“waging war”), present active participle of belligerō (“I wage war”), from belliger (“waging war, warlike”), from bellum (“war”) + -ger (from gerō (“I lead, wage, carry on”)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/belligerent