truculence
What does "truculence" mean?
Truculence refers to a disposition of aggressive, defiant, or cruel hostility. Imagine someone who is not just irritable, but actively looking for a fight; they are stubborn, combative, and ready to challenge anyone who crosses their path with a harsh or belligerent attitude. While often used to describe a person's temperament, it can also describe an action or a look. It is a sophisticated, formal word that carries a weight of menace. You will typically see it used in political commentary or literary descriptions when someone is being unnecessarily confrontational or challenging authority.
"truculence" in conversation
Discussing a difficult colleague
I don't know why Mark was so aggressive in the meeting today.
I don't know why Mark was so aggressive in the meeting today.
It’s his usual truculence; he thinks being combative makes him look like a leader.
It’s his usual truculence; he thinks being combative makes him look like a leader.
Used to describe a personality trait that is persistent.
Analyzing a politician's speech
The senator's response to the questions was marked by pure truculence.
The senator's response to the questions was marked by pure truculence.
Agreed, it felt like he was daring the press to challenge him further.
Agreed, it felt like he was daring the press to challenge him further.
Highlights how the word describes a deliberate, defensive aggression.
"truculence" in a sentence
The student's truculence made it impossible for the teacher to help him.
The student's truculence made it impossible for the teacher to help him.
Despite the diplomat's attempts at peace, the enemy displayed only cold truculence.
Despite the diplomat's attempts at peace, the enemy displayed only cold truculence.
His sudden truculence during the negotiation signaled that he was unwilling to compromise on the terms.
His sudden truculence during the negotiation signaled that he was unwilling to compromise on the terms.
