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

The Trump White House will not be likely to restrain bellicose tendencies by Middle Eastern powerbrokers or African leaders, and - especially during the US policy vacuum of the next few months - any one of those leaders could launch a war, confident that America will not respond.

From BBC

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

Whereas other música Mexicana acts have built massive audiences by singing about their bellicose escapades, Cornejo has made a name for himself by focusing on matters of the heart.

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

Trump's version of the heel professional wrestler is also a bellicose, verbally dexterous womanizer and misogynist.

From Salon

Related Words

• antagonistic
• combative
• threatening