pugilistic

[ pyoo-juh-lis-tik ]

adjective

1. relating to or involving fighting with the fists, especially professional boxing:

   The movie Rocky is a triumphant, rags-to-riches tale of pugilistic glory.

2. inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile; belligerent:

   She was fired for being a pugilistic, wine-tossing diva who fought with nearly everyone.

Other Words From

• pu·gi·lis·ti·cal·ly adverb
• un·pu·gi·lis·tic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pugilistic¹

pugilist ( def ) + -ic

Example Sentences

For starters, the pugilistic Governor framed his record as being about results, as opposed to partisan politics.

From The Daily Beast

But when a boxer is caught juicing his gloves, the pugilistic community turns away in disgust.

From The Daily Beast

I pressed Stevens about the risk to his candidate of such a pugilistic approach.

From The Daily Beast

Sin City brought out the devil in the GOP candidates tonight, delivering the most pugilistic Republican Party debate to date.

From The Daily Beast

I first learned of the man when I worked in the Senate as a young pugilistic conservative.

From The Daily Beast

And so saying, the young American placed himself in a pugilistic attitude by the side of Henry Chester.

From Project Gutenberg

They were entertained with various games, such as wrestling and pugilistic matches.

From Project Gutenberg

Pugilistic and culinary talents are a rare combination, Jerome.

From Project Gutenberg

These two latter are sometimes called amazon ants, from their pugilistic propensities.

From Project Gutenberg

Attempts were made to remove him, when he assumed a pugilistic attitude, and resolutely declined to quit the hall.

From Project Gutenberg