bellicose Definition
- 1demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight
- 2warlike in manner or temperament
Using bellicose: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "bellicose" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The bellicose rhetoric of the two leaders raised concerns about a possible war.
Example
The country's bellicose foreign policy has led to strained relations with its neighbors.
Example
He had a bellicose attitude towards anyone who disagreed with him.
bellicose Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for bellicose
- aggressive
- belligerent
- combative
- hostile
- quarrelsome
Antonyms for bellicose
- conciliatory
- peaceful
Idioms Using bellicose
Example
The media was accused of beating the bellicose drum in the lead-up to the war.
a bellicose mood
a state of mind characterized by aggression or hostility
Example
He was in a bellicose mood after the argument with his boss.
bellicose posturing
the act of making aggressive or threatening gestures or statements
Example
The country's bellicose posturing towards its neighbors has caused concern in the international community.
Phrases with bellicose
bellicose stance
an aggressive or confrontational position taken by someone or a group
Example
The government's bellicose stance towards its neighboring countries has caused tensions in the region.
bellicose speech
a speech that is aggressive or threatening in tone
Example
The politician's bellicose speech was criticized for inciting violence.
bellicose nation
a nation that is aggressive or warlike in its foreign policy
Example
The country's reputation as a bellicose nation has made it difficult to establish diplomatic relations with other countries.
Origins of bellicose
from Latin 'bellicosus', from 'bellicus' meaning 'of war'
Summary: bellicose in Brief
'Bellicose' [ˈbelɪkəʊs] describes a person, group, or nation that is aggressive, confrontational, or warlike. It is often used to describe rhetoric, attitudes, or policies that are hostile or belligerent, as in 'The country's bellicose foreign policy has led to strained relations with its neighbors.' The phrase 'beat the bellicose drum' refers to promoting war or aggression, while 'bellicose posturing' describes making aggressive gestures or statements.
