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  • Adj.

belligerent

buh-LIJ-er-uhnt

Context
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Randall used to be a belligerent or aggressive bully who threatened students and took things from them. One teacher witnessed Randall’s belligerent or unfriendly attack on another student, so they brought him to the principal to discuss his offensive actions. With time and lots of help, Randall eventually learned to control his belligerent or hostile behavior. Now his belligerent or mean behavior has ended, and instead of enemies, Randall has a few close friends at school.

Quiz: What will a belligerent person most likely do in an argument?

  • Become aggressive and want to fight.
  • Listen carefully to other viewpoints before speaking.
  • Try to stay calm and avoid getting angry.

Memory Hook
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Liger Lent Licence The liger, or belligerent cross between the aggressive lion and the combative tiger, loves the genetic licence of belligerence it has to violently attack its prey.

Examples
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  • If the biggest threat comes from rising powers, such as a belligerent Russia or a pushy China, America and its allies will need to invest in aircraft, ships and advanced weapons to cope. — The Economist
  • Jane Goodall formed incredible bonds with chimpanzees in the wild. 'First they were afraid. Then they became belligerent. And then when I wouldn't go away, ‘Well, I guess she's okay.’ They came to trust,' Goodall said. — NPR

Word Ingredients
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bell war, fighting, contention
-i- connective
ger bear, bring, carry
-ent being in a state or condition

If one is belligerent, one “is in a state or condition of bearing, bringing, or carrying war, fighting, or contention” against others.

Word Theater
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Portlandia These store owners are being rather belligerent.
35

Word Constellation
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Belligerent

Word Variants
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belligerence n hostility or aggressiveness