Belligerency — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /bə-ˈli-jə-rən(t)-sē/ bel·lig·er·en·cy

Meaning & Definition of Belligerency

Belligerency (noun)

  1. the state of being at war or in conflict; specifically, the status of a legally recognized belligerent state or nation
  2. belligerence

Belligerency (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an inclination to fight or quarrel

    "an inveterate belligerency that needs to be addressed by classes in anger management"

    similar: aggression, aggressiveness, assaultiveness, bellicosity, belligerence, combativeness, contentiousness, defiance, disputatiousness, feistiness, fight, militance, militancy, militantness, pugnacity, quarrelsomeness, scrappiness, truculence, chip on one's shoulder
    related: antagonism, fierceness, hostility, hyperaggressiveness, unfriendliness, imperialism, jingoism, militarism, acidity, biliousness, captiousness, crankiness, crossness, disagreeableness, fractiousness, fretfulness, grouchiness, grumpiness, huffiness, irascibility, irascibleness, irritability, irritableness, orneriness, peevishness, pettishness, petulance, querulousness, rudeness, surliness, testiness, waspishness
    opposite: nonaggression, pacifism
    near: antiaggression, anti-imperialism, antimilitarism, affability, amiability, amicability, benevolence, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, graciousness, pleasantness, sociability, gentleness, kindliness, mildness, amenability, complaisance, placability

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Belligerency

The most common words with a similar meaning to Belligerency:

aggression, aggressiveness, assaultiveness, bellicosity, belligerence, combativeness, contentiousness, defiance, disputatiousness, feistiness, fight, militance, militancy, militantness, pugnacity, quarrelsomeness, scrappiness, truculence, chip on one's shoulder

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Belligerency

Words with the opposite meaning of Belligerency:

nonaggression, pacifism

Related Words for Belligerency

antagonism, fierceness, hostility, hyperaggressiveness, unfriendliness, imperialism, jingoism, militarism, acidity, biliousness, captiousness, crankiness, crossness, disagreeableness, fractiousness, fretfulness, grouchiness, grumpiness, huffiness, irascibility, irascibleness, irritability, irritableness, orneriness, peevishness, pettishness, petulance, querulousness, rudeness, surliness

Near Antonyms of Belligerency

antiaggression, anti-imperialism, antimilitarism, affability, amiability, amicability, benevolence, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, graciousness, pleasantness, sociability, gentleness, kindliness, mildness, amenability, complaisance, placability

Origin & Etymology of Belligerency

First known use: 1815

Frequently Asked Questions about Belligerency

What does "Belligerency" mean?

"Belligerency" means the state of being at war or in conflict; specifically, the status of a legally recognized belligerent state or nation. As a noun, it is defined as: the state of being at war or in conflict; specifically, the status of a legally recognized belligerent state or nation.

What is another word for "Belligerency"?

Other words for "Belligerency" include aggression, aggressiveness, assaultiveness, bellicosity, belligerence, combativeness, contentiousness and defiance. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Belligerency" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Belligerency"?

There are 51 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Belligerency". Common alternatives include aggression, aggressiveness, assaultiveness, bellicosity, belligerence, combativeness, contentiousness, defiance, disputatiousness and feistiness.

What is the opposite of "Belligerency"?

Antonyms of "Belligerency" include nonaggression and pacifism. Near antonyms include antiaggression, anti-imperialism, antimilitarism and affability.

How do you use "Belligerency" in a sentence?

Examples of "Belligerency" in a sentence: "an inveterate belligerency that needs to be addressed by classes in anger management".

Is "Belligerency" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Belligerency" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Belligerency"?

"Belligerency" is pronounced /bə-ˈli-jə-rən(t)-sē/ and divided into syllables as bel·lig·er·en·cy.

What is the origin of the word "Belligerency"?

First known use: 1815.