pugnacity

[ puhg-nas-i-tee ]

noun

1. readiness to quarrel or fight; combative or argumentative character:

   She was always defending him against the fallout from his pugnacity and lack of social graces.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pugnacity¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin pugnācitās “combativeness,” equivalent to pugnāci-, stem of pugnāx “combative” + -tās -ty ²( def )

Example Sentences

But while the political press were busy recoiling like salted slugs on a hot sidewalk over his vulgar pugnacity during the town hall, Mr. Trump was working side deals directly with voters.

From Washington Times

What counts is pugnacity, acting out and blind, unswerving allegiance to the party line.

From Los Angeles Times

He had better pick up his pace of invectives if he wants to compete in the Republican pugnacity sweepstakes.

From Washington Post

Republicans will be forced to articulate an agenda beyond retrospective grievances and prospective pugnacity, and Democrats will be at first speechless, then forced to defend their agenda.

From Washington Post

It was a pugnacity that analysts said could help establish him as a political threat to Vladimir Putin despite his professed fealty to the Russian president.

From Los Angeles Times