- Today's Word
Bellicose
BEL-ih-kohs
Definition
(adjective) Demonstrating aggression and a willingness to fight.
Example
The athlete’s bellicose attitude made him feared—and often penalized.
Fun Fact
From Latin bellum, meaning “war,” bellicose describes people who don’t just argue—they thrive on confrontation. It’s stronger than “aggressive,” and often shows up in political commentary, historical writing, or sports journalism. You’ll see it used when someone doesn’t just fight back—they lead with hostility, often as a strategy.
(verb) To reduce in intensity, force, or amount; to become less severe or widespread.
The protests didn’t end so much as abate — the crowds thinning gradually over three weeks until one morning the square was simply empty again.