In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word similar in meaning to the word given. Belligerent.

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks for a word that is similar in meaning to belligerent. Such items are common in general English sections of competitive examinations. The term belligerent often appears in news reports and essays describing people, groups, or nations that are hostile, aggressive, or inclined toward conflict. To answer correctly, we must recall the core sense of the word and select the option that most closely aligns with this idea.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target word is belligerent.
• The options are Antagonistic, Co operative, Dandy, Delightful, and Friendly.
• We are explicitly asked for a similar meaning, that is, a synonym.
• Belligerent is often used to describe someone who is warlike or eager to fight or argue.
• We assume the exam expects standard dictionary meanings, not rare or idiomatic uses.

Concept / Approach:
The concept tested is semantic similarity. Belligerent derives from a Latin root related to war and has meanings like hostile, aggressive, or inclined to fight. A good strategy is to mentally replace belligerent with each option and check if the resulting phrase sounds natural. For instance, belligerent attitude can be replaced comfortably by antagonistic attitude, but not by delightful attitude. Options that express positive or neutral feelings can be discarded as antonyms, not synonyms.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the meaning of belligerent as aggressive, hostile, or ready to fight. Step 2: Examine Antagonistic. This word means opposed, hostile, or unfriendly in attitude. Step 3: Note that both belligerent and antagonistic suggest opposition and conflict, so they are close in meaning. Step 4: Consider Co operative. This word suggests helpfulness and willingness to work together, which is the opposite of being aggressive. Step 5: Dandy is an informal term referring to someone who cares a lot about their appearance, not about aggression. Step 6: Delightful means very pleasant or charming, again opposite in tone to belligerent. Step 7: Friendly, like co operative, is positive and indicates kindness, which contradicts hostility. Step 8: Conclude that Antagonistic is the only option that truly matches the sense of belligerent.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification step is to use example phrases. A belligerent nation and an antagonistic nation both describe a country that behaves aggressively toward others. A belligerent customer and an antagonistic customer also both suggest someone picking arguments. Replacing belligerent with delightful, dandy, or friendly would completely change the tone. This context test confirms that antagonistic is the closest synonym among the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Co operative is wrong because it implies helpfulness and willingness to work with others, which is the opposite of a combative attitude. Dandy is incorrect because it refers to a person who is excessively concerned about style or dress, which has nothing to do with aggression. Delightful means highly pleasing and is emotionally positive, conflicting with the negative sense of belligerent. Friendly is also a positive word describing warmth and goodwill, again the opposite of hostility or warlike behaviour.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates confuse belligerent with words like diligent or benevolent, simply because they share some letter patterns, but their meanings are quite different. Another pitfall is to guess based on familiarity with a word rather than actual meaning. In vocabulary questions, it is safer to recall a typical sentence where the tested word appears and then substitute each option. Regular reading of newspapers and quality articles helps fix such words in context and makes synonym questions much easier.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Antagonistic.