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 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 Room for Disagreement There is a case that a less bellicose, less in-your-face flavour of DOGE could work better — and that such changes are easier when they’re not associated with a controversial figure. Jim Waterson, semafor.com, 6 June 2025 Courtesy of Derek Ouellette Trump's bellicose remarks gave a huge boost to Canadian nationalism, with many vowing to boycott the U.S. and its products. Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 1 May 2025 The bellicose posture from a country considered Canada’s closest friend has unleashed a desire to stand up to the United States and a rallying-round-the-flag that has translated into a defiant patriotism. Matina Stevis-Gridneff, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bellicose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellicose
Adjective
  • Sell assets for picks and cap space and attack an aggressive rebuild this offseason.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Control an aggressive infestation with a preemergent herbicide applied in late summer before chickweed seeds germinate.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As such, the political and militant body – which has governed the territory since June 2007 – will need to be in a desperate situation to accept the terms.
    Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Trump’s peace plan has backed Hamas into a corner, leaving the militant group to face an existential dilemma.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Tampa is heading into a hostile environment against a feisty Seattle Seahawks team that matches them with a 3-1 record.
    Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Republicans, traditionally seen as more hostile to government, are often viewed as the shutdown aggressors.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 2 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
  • Meanwhile, a warlike species would probably just wipe us out.
    Matthew Hutson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 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 8 Oct. 2025.

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