Bellicose
/ˈbɛlɪkoʊs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Bellicose means having a strong desire to fight or argue. It describes behavior or feelings that are aggressive, hostile, or warlike. People or groups that are bellicose often look for or start conflicts rather than avoid them.
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⚡ See It in Action
Showing eagerness or willingness to fight or argue
- •The bellicose leader threatened other countries with war.
- •His bellicose attitude made it hard to have a calm discussion.
- •The bellicose tone in the speech worried the diplomats.
Describing a nation or group ready for war or conflict
- •The bellicose stance of the country increased tensions in the region.
- •Bellicose rhetoric often leads to misunderstandings between nations.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "bellicose" like "angry" (A2 word), but more about wanting to fight or argue, not just feeling upset
- ✓Picture a person with a red face, clenched fists, ready to shout or fight
- ✓It's the feeling when someone looks like they want to start a fight or are very aggressive
- ✓Sounds like "BEL-li-cose" → Imagine a "bell" ringing loudly to warn about a fight or battle
- ✓Think of a warrior or soldier who is always ready to fight or a character in movies who likes to start battles
- ✓NOT like "peaceful" (calm and friendly), bellicose means the opposite—ready for war or conflict
- ✓NOT like "angry" (feeling upset but not always ready to fight), bellicose means actively wanting conflict
- ✓NOT like "defensive" (protecting oneself), bellicose means going on the attack or being aggressive first
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Hostile: unfriendly and showing dislike (Use when the feeling is more about dislike than actual fighting)
- •Combative: ready to fight or argue (Use when focusing on readiness to argue or fight in personal or small group situations)
- •Pugnacious: eager to fight, often in a rough or rude way (Use when describing someone who is easily angered and wants to fight physically or verbally)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "bellic-" from Latin "bellum" meaning "war" + suffix "-ose" meaning "full of" or "having the quality of"
- •Etymology: From Latin "bellicosus," meaning warlike or fond of fighting
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1600s to describe people or nations eager for war or conflict
- •Modern usage: Used to describe aggressive attitudes, especially in politics, speeches, or behavior that seems ready for conflict
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can someone be bellicose without actually fighting? How does attitude affect conflict?
•How does a bellicose attitude affect relationships between people or countries?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The bellicose politician gave a speech full of ___ words that increased tensions.
2.When a person is bellicose, they often ___ arguments instead of avoiding them.
3.Unlike a peaceful leader, a bellicose leader is more likely to ___ conflicts.
4.Bellicose behavior can ___ misunderstandings and make problems worse.
5.The country’s bellicose stance made other nations feel ___ and worried.
6.In debates, a bellicose tone usually ___ calm discussion and creates more fights.
7.A bellicose attitude means someone is ready to ___ rather than listen or agree.