What does truculence mean?
Truculence means the quality of being aggressively hostile, combative, or uncooperative. It usually describes a person’s manner, a discussion, or a political situation, and often suggests a hostility that is persistent rather than limited to one incident. For example, a delegate may be criticized for the truculence of an argument, while a newspaper might describe a period of political truculence. The word is formal and carries a distinctly negative tone: it implies defiance, sharpness, and a readiness to confront others. Truculence is especially common in political, diplomatic, and journalistic writing, though it can apply to personal behavior as well. Related to the adjective truculent, it is useful when the focus is on the character of an attitude or exchange rather than on a specific aggressive act.
nounTruculence is the quality or manner of being truculent: aggressive, hostile, or combative in behavior or speech.
- The quality or state of being truculent; aggressive, hostile, or combative behavior.
"The truculence of the delegation made negotiations increasingly difficult."
"His truculence made even ordinary discussions feel like confrontations."
"The report described a period marked by political truculence and escalating hostility."
Truculence is normally used as an uncountable noun. Plural forms are uncommon and are not standard in ordinary usage.
"The speech was marked by open truculence toward the opposition."
From the Latin truculentia, meaning fierceness or savagery, truculence names not merely one quarrel but an entire combative style.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How truculence is actually used
Truculence is a formal word with a strongly negative connotation. It is used especially for persistent aggression in behavior, speech, debate, or political relations, rather than for a single isolated act of hostility.
Easily confused with truculence
Truculence is a noun naming a hostile or aggressive quality, whereas truculent is an adjective describing a person, thing, or manner that displays that quality.