belligerence

[ buh-lij-er-uh ns ]

/ bəˈlɪdʒ ər əns /

a warlike or aggressively hostile nature, condition, or attitude.

an act of carrying on war; warfare.

Origin of belligerence

First recorded in 1805–15; belliger(ent) + -ence

belligerence belligerents

Grayson himself sees little political downside to his belligerence.

The Democrats' Joe Wilson? |Benjamin Sarlin |October 1, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
As a Marine, I learned that peace is predicated on compromise, not superior firepower or belligerence.

Mission Accomplished? |Zachary Iscol |June 29, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Belligerence, mere combativeness, is a masculine attribute; but courage is not.

The home |Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Muriel Harding shrewdly surveyed the scene before her, a glint of belligerence in her eyes.

Marjorie Dean College Freshman |Pauline Lester

When you feel in a fighting mood, I wish you would expend your belligerence upon me.

Dear Enemy |Jean Webster
Parker glanced at her with a broad hint of belligerence in his keen gray eyes.

The Pride of Palomar |Peter B. Kyne
She seized her skirts with both hands and advanced upon the lady from Ypsilanti with belligerence.

The Corner House Girls |Grace Brooks Hill

belligerence

/ (bɪˈlɪdʒərəns) /

the act or quality of being belligerent or warlike; aggressiveness