bruiser

[ broo-zer ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a strong, tough person:

   The football player was over six feet tall and weighed 285 pounds—a real bruiser.

bruiser

/ ˈbruːzə /

noun

1. informal.
   a strong tough person, esp a boxer or a bully

Word History and Origins

Origin of bruiser¹

First recorded in 1580–90; bruise + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The Chargers are expected to pound the ball with 238-pound bruiser Gus Edwards and reclamation project J.K.

From Los Angeles Times

Edwards is a bruiser and Dobbins offers explosiveness.

From Los Angeles Times

Louise braced both feet as we slanted down the stairs on some big bruiser’s back.

From Literature

On that front, the tip of the spear is 7-foot bruiser Oumar Ballo, who averages 13 points and 10 rebounds a game, recording 33 putbacks this season, according to Hoop-Math.com.

From Seattle Times

Yakuza 5, the most wide-ranging installment, features four other playable characters, including a bruiser who has recently escaped from prison and Kiryu’s adopted daughter, Haruka, an aspiring pop idol.

From New York Times

Related Words

• assailant
• boxer
• champion
• combatant
• mercenary
• militant
• opponent
• soldier
• tanker
• warlord
• warrior