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belligerency
noun
bel·lig·er·en·cy
bə-ˈli-jə-rən(t)-sē
-ˈlij-
1
: the state of being at war or in conflict
specifically
: the status of a legally recognized belligerent state or nation
2
Synonyms
Examples of belligerency in a Sentence
an inveterate belligerency that needs to be addressed by classes in anger management
Recent Examples on the Web
Congress has given away its power to declare war to the president, handing over the ability to take the nation from a state of peace to a state of belligerency or co-belligerency.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2024
Credibility requires consistency, not belligerency.
—Keren Yarhi-Milo, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
Furthermore, pursuant to Additional Protocol I, Article 47(1), mercenaries do not qualify as combatants, and as such, cannot benefit from the privilege of belligerency.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 12 June 2022
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Word History
First Known Use
1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near belligerency
Cite this Entry
“Belligerency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belligerency. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
belligerency
noun
bel·lig·er·en·cy
bə-ˈlij-(ə-)rən-sē
1
: the state of being at war
2
Legal Definition
belligerency
noun
bel·lig·er·en·cy
bə-ˈli-jə-rən-sē
: the state of being at war or in conflict
specifically
: the status whereby a recognized military force is granted the protection of the international laws of war
More from Merriam-Webster on belligerency
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about belligerency
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