belligerence
gb/bɪlˈɪd͡ʒɚəns/ us/bɪlˈɪd͡ʒɚəns/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
property
1
hostile, aggressive attitude
a very angry and aggressive way of behaving
Usage pattern:
belligerence toward [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *belligerent* (adjective) when they need the noun *belligerence*.
Synonyms
aggression (broader; can include physical attack or general assertiveness.)
|
hostility (emphasizes unfriendliness and ill will, not necessarily readiness to fight.)
|
combativeness (highlights eagerness to argue or fight.)
Antonyms
friendliness (a warm, kind attitude rather than hostility.)
|
calmness (lack of anger or readiness to argue.)
|
conciliatoriness (willingness to make peace or reach agreement.)
Collocations
increasing belligerence
|open belligerence
|sheer belligerence
|a tone of belligerence
|an outburst of belligerence
|belligerence toward others
|drunken belligerence
|verbal belligerence
|respond with belligerence
|show belligerence
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|conflict
Examples
- His belligerence toward the staff made the situation worse.
- The coach asked the team to play hard without unnecessary belligerence.
- She mistook his confidence for belligerence and backed away from the discussion.
Learner examples
- I don’t like his belligerence.
- Her belligerence scared people.
Noun
formal
C1
property
2
aggressive stance in politics
a country or leader acting in a threatening, warlike way
Usage pattern:
[country/leader]'s belligerence toward [country/group]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with *belligerency*, which is a more technical term in international law.
Synonyms
militancy (often implies using or supporting force to achieve political aims.)
|
aggressiveness (more general; can be less tied to threats or conflict.)
|
saber-rattling (informal; emphasizes threats or displays of force rather than actual fighting.)
Antonyms
diplomacy (using negotiation instead of threats or force.)
|
restraint (holding back from aggressive action or language.)
|
peacefulness (a non-violent, non-threatening stance.)
Collocations
growing belligerence
|military belligerence
|diplomatic belligerence
|rhetorical belligerence
|regional belligerence
|foreign-policy belligerence
|condemn belligerence
|rein in belligerence
|fuel belligerence
|a rise in belligerence
Themes
politics
|international_relations
|conflict
Examples
- Allies criticized the country’s belligerence toward its neighbors.
- The new administration promised dialogue instead of belligerence.
- Analysts warned that escalating belligerence could trigger a wider conflict.
Learner examples
- The leader’s belligerence worried other countries.
Noun
legal
C2
state
3
status of being at war
the state of being involved in a war (formal)
Usage pattern:
belligerence between [countries/groups]
Common mistake:
This legal sense is uncommon in everyday English; in general writing, *belligerence* usually means an aggressive attitude.
Synonyms
belligerency (more common as the technical legal term for this status.)
|
state of war (plain-language alternative; less technical.)
Antonyms
peace (the absence of war or armed conflict.)
|
ceasefire (a pause in fighting, even if peace is not fully established.)
Collocations
a state of belligerence
|recognize belligerence
|declare belligerence
|belligerence between states
|belligerence between parties
|the onset of belligerence
Themes
law
|international_relations
|military
Examples
- The treaty aimed to end the formal state of belligerence between the two countries.
- Some observers argued that the group’s actions amounted to belligerence under international law.
Grammar
Dictionary form
belligerence
IPA
GB/bɪlˈɪd͡ʒɚəns/
US/bɪlˈɪd͡ʒɚəns/
Syllables & stress
bel - li - ger - ence (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (li)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: belligerence
- Plural: belligerence
Word family
Core family
belligerent
adjective C1
belligerently
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
nonbelligerent
adjective
Advanced or less common
belligerency
noun
Expressions
a tone of belligerence
1/ə tˈoʊn əv bɪlˈɪd͡ʒɚəns/
fixed phrase
hostile way of speaking
sounding angry and ready to argue
Examples
- There was a tone of belligerence in his voice when he answered.
- The email’s tone of belligerence surprised the whole team.
acts of belligerence
1/ˈækts əv bɪlˈɪd͡ʒɚəns/
fixed phrase
formal
hostile or aggressive actions
hostile things someone does to start or worsen conflict
Examples
- The report listed several acts of belligerence along the border.
- Both sides agreed to stop acts of belligerence during the talks.
an air of belligerence
1/ən ˈɛɹ əv bɪlˈɪd͡ʒɚəns/
fixed phrase
impression of hostility
seeming angry and ready to fight
Examples
- He walked into the meeting with an air of belligerence.
- Despite her polite words, there was an air of belligerence in her posture.
display of belligerence
1/dɪsplˈeɪ əv bɪlˈɪd͡ʒɚəns/
fixed phrase
formal
showing aggression openly
an obvious show of anger or aggression
Examples
- The minister called the missile test a reckless display of belligerence.
- His display of belligerence ended the conversation immediately.