bellicose

[ bel-i-kohs ]

adjective

1. inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile; belligerent; pugnacious.

bellicose

/ ˈbɛlɪˌkəʊs; -ˌkəʊz; ˌbɛlɪˈkɒsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. warlike; aggressive; ready to fight

Derived Forms

• bellicosity, noun
• ˈbelliˌcosely, adverb

Other Words From

• belli·cosely adverb
• bel·li·cos·i·ty [bel-i-, kos, -i-tee], belli·coseness noun
• un·belli·cose adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bellicose¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin bellicōsus, equivalent to bellic(us) “pertaining to war” ( bell(um) “war” + -icus -ic ) + -ōsus -ose ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bellicose¹

C15: from Latin bellicōsus , from bellum war

Example Sentences

Edelstein is taking his cues from the text, though his cast sometimes struggles when the bellicose mood switches abruptly into high pathos.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a remarkable performance, and Noble’s volatile Riefenstahl, as grandiose and bellicose as she is seductive and meek, is every bit as vividly conceived.

From Los Angeles Times

While bold, brazen and boisterous at best, the outer bounds on the right can be bellicose, bitter and biting at worst — bashing buddies to boot.

From Seattle Times

Across the 27-nation EU, the political landscape is becoming increasingly polarized, with no holds barred between mainstream parties on the one hand and the bellicose populists and extremists on the other.

From Seattle Times

These law enforcement actions have come with bellicose calls from leading political voices and punishment meted out by university administrators, who often claim that student protests have been poisoned by rampant antisemitism.

From Salon

Related Words

• antagonistic
• combative
• threatening