Meaning & use

bellicosity

noun·Advanced

An eager or aggressive readiness to argue, fight, or go to war.

See it in a sentence

The dictator's bellicosity alarmed neighboring countries already wary of his intentions.

Years of bellicosity between the two rivals finally erupted into open conflict.

A note on using this word

Bellicosity is a formal, literary term; 'aggressiveness' or 'hostility' are more common everyday alternatives.

Words with a similar meaning

belligerencehostility

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

peacefulness

Make it your own

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