WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
bel•lig•er•ent /bəˈlɪdʒɚənt/USA pronunciation
adj.
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- engaged in warfare:[before a noun]set up embargoes against the belligerent nations.
- showing readiness to fight:a belligerent tone.
n. [countable]
- a state or nation at war.
- a person engaged in fighting.
bel•lig•er•ent
(bə lij′ər ənt),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
bel•lig′er•ent•ly, adv.
- warlike;
given to waging war. - of warlike character;
aggressively hostile;
bellicose:a belligerent tone. - waging war;
engaged in war:a peace treaty between belligerent powers. - pertaining to war or to those engaged in war:belligerent rights.
n.
- a state or nation at war.
- Militarya member of the military forces of such a state.
- Latin belligerant- (stem of belligerāns, present participle of belligerāre to wage war; see -ant)
- Latin belliger waging war (belli-, combining form of bellum war + ger-, base of gerere to conduct) + -ent; replacing belligerant
- 1570–80
- 2. pugnacious, truculent, combative, quarrelsome, antagonistic, contentious.
'belligerently' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):