Showing a readiness to fight or quarrel; aggressively hostile (adjective)
Looking for the answer to the USA Today Rootonym clue “Showing a readiness to fight or quarrel; aggressively hostile (adjective)”? The solution is BELLICOSE, a 9-letter word built on the root BELL (“war”). It appeared in the July 9, 2026 (Thursday) USA Today Rootonym. See the full puzzle for that day's other words.
Answer
BELLICOSE
BELL*****BELLmeans “war”
In a sentence
Barb despairs that too many nations have a BELLICOSE relationship with their neighbors.
About this clue
The Rootonym clue “Showing a readiness to fight or quarrel; aggressively hostile (adjective)” has the answer BELLICOSE (9 letters), built on the root BELL, which means “war”. Browse the full July 9, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or see all Rootonym answers.