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

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

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

John Prescott became a Labour frontbench spokesman in May 1979 and joined the shadow cabinet in 1983, gaining a reputation as a pugnacious and knowledgeable spokesman on transport.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2024

He had help in this effort from several people, including publisher Louis Austin, who, though aging and in ill health, was as pugnacious as ever.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson