as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
the candidate criticized her opponent's bellicosity as divisive
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Recent Examples of bellicosity
Israel’s bellicosity in conducting a bloody regional conflict for over two years presents a challenge.
—
Alexander Langlois, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
The Supreme Court’s invalidation of most Trump tariffs and the bellicosity of his response, which included the immediate imposition of new 10% tariffs across the board and the threat to increase them to 15%, have done nothing to settle investors’ nerves.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
The beating death of ultraconservative activist Quentin Deranque in the French city of Lyon last week has pushed both the country’s far right and left flanks toward bellicosity, as both ends of the political spectrum blame the other for his death and the threat of further violence.
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 20 Feb. 2026
And should Trump ramp up the bellicosity of his rhetoric once again, Greenland might even be pushed closer to China, the WoodMac analysts warned.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
London has dispatched its Prime Minister to deescalate the bellicosity.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
The bellicosity emanating from Washington has put the world on edge, prompting governments from Japan to Germany and Canada to increase defense spending.
—Sagarika Jaisinghani, Bloomberg, 17 Jan. 2026
Trump may get away with this approach; his unpredictability, and Netanyahu’s bellicosity, will temper the mullahs’ atomic ambitions for now.
—Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
Alexander Langlois, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
The Supreme Court’s invalidation of most Trump tariffs and the bellicosity of his response, which included the immediate imposition of new 10% tariffs across the board and the threat to increase them to 15%, have done nothing to settle investors’ nerves.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
The beating death of ultraconservative activist Quentin Deranque in the French city of Lyon last week has pushed both the country’s far right and left flanks toward bellicosity, as both ends of the political spectrum blame the other for his death and the threat of further violence.
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 20 Feb. 2026
And should Trump ramp up the bellicosity of his rhetoric once again, Greenland might even be pushed closer to China, the WoodMac analysts warned.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
London has dispatched its Prime Minister to deescalate the bellicosity.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
The bellicosity emanating from Washington has put the world on edge, prompting governments from Japan to Germany and Canada to increase defense spending.
—Sagarika Jaisinghani, Bloomberg, 17 Jan. 2026
Trump may get away with this approach; his unpredictability, and Netanyahu’s bellicosity, will temper the mullahs’ atomic ambitions for now.
—Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellicosity
Noun
-
Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier forum for defense leaders, militaries and diplomats, said a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies is essential to deter aggression and preserve the balance of power.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
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Fudd started the second half with the Wings’ first bucket, her second 3-pointer of the game, and kept the aggression going, finishing the game with 9-of-15 shooting with three rebounds and two assists.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Lurie partly values Roseman because of his strategic aggressiveness to make sure great players are locked down long term.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
Some more aggressiveness on the bases as well.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The idea is that those first steps would create space for gradual deescalation and an effective cessation of hostilities.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
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The concept, previously presented in European animation settings including Annecy, was pitched as a YA story about mental health, identity, online hostility and self-acceptance.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bellicosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellicosity. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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