1. having or showing a readiness to fight or argue; aggressive and hostile
Usage: formal

Examples

• The senator’s bellicose rhetoric alarmed many voters.
• His bellicose attitude made it difficult to negotiate a peaceful solution.
• The country’s bellicose foreign policy led to increased tensions with its neighbors.
• She became increasingly bellicose during the heated debate.
• The bellicose tone of the letter suggested that compromise was unlikely.
• Despite his bellicose reputation, he was actually quite reasonable in person.