pugnacious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Russian mobster decides that the brother-sister act—she pugnacious, he perpetually panic-stricken—can be useful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Gulbadin Naib had earlier provided the backbone of Afghanistan's 182-6 with a pugnacious 63 off 35 balls.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

And no one coasts on reputation for pugnacious realism, in U.S. politics, like Mario Cuomo’s son.

From Slate • Jun. 17, 2025

Rumor is the pugnacious Irish actor Jack O’Connell plays the villain.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2025

His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious.

From "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck