Synonym Chooser

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bellicose Britain, which ruled Canada, was eyeing the rich territory, so Nicholas sold it for $7 million to a less bellicose bidder: The United States. Dan Morrison, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025 The Fed’s debates about monetary policy come against a bellicose political backdrop, in which the central bank’s traditional independence is eroding. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 18 July 2025 On-again, off-again tariffs and economically bellicose statements have led to uncertainty, confusion, and even fear. Harvard Business Review, 9 July 2025 In 2017, the President returned from an impressively bellicose Bastille Day celebration in France determined to host his own version of a military parade. Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bellicose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellicose
Adjective
  • Being passive aggressive and giving non-committal responses is clearly not working.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • But even with the aggressive approach, the talent gap was evident.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the militant revanche of the late Putin era, men are men, women are women, and the men are in charge.
    Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Pakistan has long accused Kabul of harboring the Pakistani Taliban militant group (known as the TTP), which its Afghan namesake denies.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The mob of rioters grew more hostile and violent, advancing toward agents and began throwing rocks and other objects at agents, including one that struck Chief Greg Bovino in the head.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Afghan refugees like him await their asylum decisions in an increasingly hostile climate marked by ICE raids and deportations.
    Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Second, having quickly been identified by internet bloodhounds, the actual offending Polish paving magnate issued a belligerent non-apology.
    NEAL RUBIN, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Medvedev, a former president of Russia and an ally of incumbent President Vladimir Putin, has been known to make belligerent comments against the West, which have likely been approved by the Kremlin.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To many Chicagoans, the warlike atmosphere is the result of the increasing aggression of the federal government.
    Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
  • His warlike actions in Iran, despite campaign promises to the contrary, blatantly bypassed the need to gain approval from the legislative branch of government.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bellicose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellicose. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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