belligerent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The U-turn came after weeks of belligerent rhetoric and a vow to slap tariffs on eight European countries starting February 1 unless the autonomous territory was ceded to the United States.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

The company collects cars around the clock, but the cover of darkness cuts the odds of encountering belligerent owners.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

General Assembly to deliver a belligerent and lengthy speech when the escalator he and the first lady were riding stopped abruptly, forcing them to walk the rest of the way up.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2025

This fictional scene led to real consequences over the weekend, with many Chinese social media users taking it to be a malicious mischaracterisation of China as belligerent.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2025

Booth and Herold refuse, though not in a belligerent way.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly