pugnacious

[ puhg-ney-shuhs ]

adjective

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

   Synonyms: bellicose, contentious, argumentative

   Antonyms: agreeable

pugnacious

/ pʌɡˈneɪʃəs; pʌɡˈnæsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. readily disposed to fight; belligerent

Derived Forms

• pugnacity, noun
• pugˈnaciously, adverb

Other Words From

• pug·na·cious·ly adverb
• pug·nac·i·ty [puhg-, nas, -i-tee], pug·na·cious·ness noun
• un·pug·na·cious adjective
• un·pug·na·cious·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pugnacious¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pugnacious¹

C17: from Latin pugnāx

Example Sentences

He uses pugnacious, sometimes trollish oratory to present himself as Trump’s avatar on the bench, an unapologetic brawler who fights for ordinary people against woke liberals and condescending elites.

From Slate

"She has been described as pugnacious," Mrs Allen, 59, said.

From BBC

Gluesenkamp Perez’s Republican opponent, Joe Kent, is trying to nationalize the race, turning the contest into a ratification of Trump, his pugnacious personality and belligerent policies.

From Los Angeles Times

The pugnacious owner even claimed to have gotten into a fistfight with Dodgers fans in an elevator in the Hyatt Wilshire Hotel in 1981 after the Dodgers won three straight in L.A. to take the lead in the World Series 3-2.

From Los Angeles Times

The cacophony of an independence referendum campaign which had echoed through Scotland for three years had died away and Alex Salmond, so often the embodiment of pugnacious self-confidence, appeared pale and drained.

From BBC