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Showing results for pugnacious. Search instead for pugnacities.
Definitions

pugnacious

[puhg-ney-shuhs] / pʌgˈneɪ ʃəs /
ADJECTIVE
belligerent
Synonyms
WEAK
aggressive antagonistic argumentative bellicose brawling cantankerous chip on shoulder choleric combative contentious defiant disputatious have a bone to pick hot-tempered irascible irritable itching to fight militant petulant pushing pushy quarrelsome ready to fight rebellious salty scrappy self-assertive truculent warlike
Antonyms
WEAK
easygoing kind laid-back nice

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.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a less pugnacious message when compared with last year’s Munich conference.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 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

The firm brought a new, more pugnacious approach to the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2025

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

From Slate • Jun. 17, 2025

Lincoln was a clever, gangly, pugnacious, provincial lawyer.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.