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GRE vocabulary

bellicose

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore B words

inclined to fight or eager for war

Word origin: From Latin bellicosus, warlike, from bellum war.

In a sentence

Bellicose in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing bellicose in a sentence.

The bellicose rhetoric from both sides raised fears of an open conflict.

The senator's bellicose rhetoric alarmed allies who had hoped for a diplomatic resolution.

Synonyms
belligerentpugnaciouscombativewarlike
Antonyms
peaceablepacific
Usage & nuance

Using “bellicose” well

Bellicose describes an eagerness for conflict or war, with a strongly negative connotation of aggression. It applies to attitudes and rhetoric, not just literal warfare.

Common questions

Questions about “bellicose

Bellicose (adjective) means inclined to fight or eager for war
Here is bellicose used in an example sentence: "The bellicose rhetoric from both sides raised fears of an open conflict." Another example: "The senator's bellicose rhetoric alarmed allies who had hoped for a diplomatic resolution."
Common synonyms for bellicose include belligerent, pugnacious, combative, warlike.
Antonyms of bellicose include peaceable, pacific.
Bellicose pairs with belligerent, pugnacious, combative, and warlike in GRE Verbal. Its antonyms peaceable and pacific mark the conciliatory opposite a passage may set against it.
Yes. Bellicose is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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