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"Belligerent" vs. "hostile": how they differ and overlap

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 04/05/2025, 13:18
English.me team member
Belligerent and hostile. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "belligerent" and "hostile" describe aggressive, unfriendly, or antagonistic behaviors or attitudes. They both can refer to individuals, groups, or actions that are confrontational or ready to engage in conflict.

What is different?

"Belligerent" often implies a willingness to fight or engage in warfare and is frequently used in the context of nations or groups involved in conflict. "Hostile" is a broader term denoting unfriendliness or opposition and can refer to environments, attitudes, or actions that are antagonistic without necessarily implying active aggression.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for belligerent) and hostile

Examples of usage

Belligerent
  • The belligerent nations refused to negotiate a peace treaty.
  • His belligerent stance made diplomatic resolutions impossible.
  • She approached the situation with a belligerent attitude, eager for confrontation.
Hostile
  • They entered hostile territory without proper protection.
  • Her hostile reaction took everyone by surprise.
  • The proposal met with a hostile response from the committee.