1. In a military context:
* Nations at war: Countries involved in armed conflict are referred to as "belligerents".
* Military actions: A belligerent action is a hostile act, like an attack or a threat of attack.
2. In a personal context:
* Aggressive behavior: A belligerent person is someone who is easily angered, argumentative, and prone to physical or verbal violence.
* Angry demeanor: They may exhibit aggressive body language, such as glaring, clenching fists, or standing in a threatening posture.
* Hostile communication: They may use harsh language, insults, or threats.
3. Figurative use:
* A strong stance: Sometimes "belligerent" can be used figuratively to describe someone who is assertive or forceful in their opinion, even if they are not physically aggressive.
Examples:
* "The two countries were officially declared belligerents in the war."
* "He became belligerent after drinking too much."
* "The politician made a belligerent statement about the opposition party."
It's important to note: "Belligerent" has a strong negative connotation, suggesting that someone is overly aggressive or hostile.