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pugnacious

[puhg-ney-shuhs] / pʌgˈneɪ ʃəs /


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.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s pugnacious parliament speaker, continued his now-daily trolling of the Trump administration, posting a picture depicting the smoking wreckage of what appeared to be two planes and two helicopters.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Even by the former’s standards, it was angry, pugnacious, and hence less effective.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

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

His pugnacious tone indicated that they were not about to laugh at Xenophilius, despite the clear provocation.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling




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