pugnacious

American  

[puhg-ney-shuhs] / pʌgˈneɪ ʃəs /

adjective

1. inclined to quarrel or fight readily; quarrelsome; belligerent; combative.

   Synonyms:

   bellicose, contentious, argumentative

   Antonyms:

   agreeable

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pugnacious British  

/ pʌɡˈneɪʃəs, pʌɡˈnæsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. readily disposed to fight; belligerent

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Other Word Forms

• pugnaciously adverb
• pugnaciousness noun
• pugnacity noun
• unpugnacious adjective
• unpugnaciously adverb

Etymology

Origin of pugnacious

First recorded in 1635–45; pugnaci(ty) (from Latin pugnācitās “combativeness,” equivalent to pugnāci-, stem of pugnāx combative (akin to pugil; pugilism ) + -tās -ty ² ) + -ous

Example Sentences

In addition, Mr. Denton’s delivery ranges from pugnacious to hostile and in contrast to all the suave vampires around him, Guy is a consistently unpleasant human.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

“Diddy beat the Feds that boy a bad man!,” the pugnacious “In Da Club” artist said on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Prescott also had a reputation as a pugnacious political bruiser.

From New York Times