nonbelligerent
1 of 2adjective
non·bel·lig·er·ent ˌnän-bə-ˈlij-rənt 
-ˈli-jə-
: not belligerent: such as
a
: not waging war
nonbelligerent countries
b
: not hostile or combative
a nonbelligerent attitude
nonbelligerency
ˌnän-bə-ˈlij-rən(t)-sē
noun -ˈli-jə-
or less commonly nonbelligerence
ˌnän-bə-ˈlij-rən(t)s
-ˈli-jə-
a nonbelligerency agreement
nonbelligerent
2 of 2noun
: a nonbelligerent country
specifically : a country that refrains from direct participation in a war but openly favors and usually gives aid in varying degree and kind to one of the belligerents
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Solmaz Sharif, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022 Over time, such cooperation could gradually acclimate Arab peoples to a nonbelligerent stance toward Israel. Charles Krauthammer, Twin Cities, 30 May 2017 Over time, such cooperation could gradually acclimate Arab peoples to a nonbelligerent stance toward Israel. Charles Krauthammer, Orange County Register, 26 May 2017 Over time, such cooperation could gradually acclimate Arab peoples to a nonbelligerent stance toward Israel. Charles Krauthammer, The Mercury News, 25 May 2017 Over time, such cooperation could gradually acclimate Arab peoples to a nonbelligerent stance toward Israel. Charles Krauthammer, The Denver Post, 25 May 2017
Adjective
For not wanting to be nonbelligerent by naming the terms for belligerence. Solmaz Sharif, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022 Over time, such cooperation could gradually acclimate Arab peoples to a nonbelligerent stance toward Israel. Charles Krauthammer, Twin Cities, 30 May 2017 Over time, such cooperation could gradually acclimate Arab peoples to a nonbelligerent stance toward Israel. Charles Krauthammer, Orange County Register, 26 May 2017 Over time, such cooperation could gradually acclimate Arab peoples to a nonbelligerent stance toward Israel. Charles Krauthammer, The Mercury News, 25 May 2017 Over time, such cooperation could gradually acclimate Arab peoples to a nonbelligerent stance toward Israel. Charles Krauthammer, The Denver Post, 25 May 2017 Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1795, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1810, in the meaning defined above
nonbelligerents
noun
as in defenders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- defenders
- pacifists
- peacemakers
- doves
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- invaders
- aggressors
- raiders
- initiators
- attackers
- assailants
- instigators
- plunderers
- ambuscaders
- forayers
- pillagers
- ambushers