quarrelsome

adjective quar·rel·some \ˈkwȯr(-ə)l-səm, ˈkwär(-ə)l-\

: ready or likely to argue or disagree

Full Definition of QUARRELSOME

: apt or disposed to quarrel in an often petty manner : contentious

— quar·rel·some·ly adverb

— quar·rel·some·ness noun

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First Known Use of QUARRELSOME

1596

Related to QUARRELSOME

Synonyms: aggressive, agonistic, argumentative, assaultive, bellicose, brawly, chippy, combative, confrontational, contentious, discordant, disputatious, feisty, gladiatorial, militant, pugnacious, belligerent, scrappy, truculent, warlike

Antonyms: nonaggressive, nonbelligerent, pacific, peaceable, peaceful, unbelligerent, uncombative, uncontentious

Synonym Discussion of QUARRELSOME

belligerent, bellicose, pugnacious, quarrelsome, contentious mean having an aggressive or fighting attitude. belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities <belligerent nations>. bellicose suggests a disposition to fight <a drunk in a bellicose mood>. pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat <a pugnacious gangster>. quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause <the heat made us all quarrelsome>. contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling <wearied by his contentious disposition>.

QUARRELSOMENESS Defined for Kids