truculent

[ truhk-yuh-luhnt, troo-kyuh- ]

adjective

1. aggressively hostile; belligerent.
2. brutally harsh; vitriolic; scathing:

   Their truculent criticism of my latest work was not entirely fair.

3. savagely brutal; barbarous; cruel.

   Antonyms: gentle, kindhearted, humane

truculent

/ ˈtrʌkjʊlənt /

adjective

1. defiantly aggressive, sullen, or obstreperous
2. archaic.
   savage, fierce, or harsh

Derived Forms

• ˈtruculence, noun
• ˈtruculently, adverb

Other Words From

• truc·u·lence [truhk, -y, uh, -l, uh, ns, troo, -ky, uh, -], truc·u·len·cy noun
• truc·u·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of truculent¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin truculentus, equivalent to truc-, stem of trux “savage, pitiless” + -ulentus adjective suffix; -ulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of truculent¹

C16: from Latin truculentus , from trux fierce

Synonym Study

See fierce.

Example Sentences

Trump’s truculent brand of American nationalism is a terrible idea for many reasons, not least in the encouragement it gives to Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to target weaker U.S. allies.

From Seattle Times

In response, three British warships were sent by William Douglas, the truculent British Columbia governor, also spoiling for a fight.

From Seattle Times

Wrapping up his truculent remarks, as reported by the Washington Post, the projector-in-chief then called Smith a “f***ing a**hole,” adding that Biden and the Democrats were “running a Gestapo administration.”

From Salon

When the state rolled back fares, a truculent “Cap” pulled the plug, halting operations for more than a week.

From Seattle Times

The truculent trio are all using the same tired bingo card of victimization politics that Donald Trump keeps in his breast pocket.

From Los Angeles Times