BELLICOSE Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'bellicose' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of bellicose are belligerent , contentious , pugnacious , and quarrelsome . While all these words mean "having an aggressive or fighting attitude," bellicose suggests a disposition to fight. // a drunk in a bellicose mood

Q: Where would 'belligerent' be a reasonable alternative to 'bellicose'?

In some situations, the words belligerent and bellicose are roughly equivalent. However, belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities. // belligerent nations

Q: When could 'contentious' be used to replace 'bellicose'?

Although the words contentious and bellicose have much in common, contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling. // wearied by his contentious disposition

Q: When might 'pugnacious' be a better fit than 'bellicose'?

The words pugnacious and bellicose can be used in similar contexts, but pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat. // a pugnacious gangster

Q: When is 'quarrelsome' a more appropriate choice than 'bellicose'?

While the synonyms quarrelsome and bellicose are close in meaning, quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause. // the heat made us all quarrelsome

bellicose

adjective

Definition of bellicose next

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight bellicose hockey players who seem to spend more time fighting than playing

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How is the word bellicose distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of bellicose are belligerent, contentious, pugnacious, and quarrelsome. While all these words mean "having an aggressive or fighting attitude," bellicose suggests a disposition to fight.

a drunk in a bellicose mood

Where would belligerent be a reasonable alternative to bellicose?

In some situations, the words belligerent and bellicose are roughly equivalent. However, belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities.

belligerent nations

When could contentious be used to replace bellicose?

Although the words contentious and bellicose have much in common, contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling.

wearied by his contentious disposition

When might pugnacious be a better fit than bellicose?

The words pugnacious and bellicose can be used in similar contexts, but pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat.

a pugnacious gangster

When is quarrelsome a more appropriate choice than bellicose?

While the synonyms quarrelsome and bellicose are close in meaning, quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause.

the heat made us all quarrelsome