as in boxer
one that engages in the sport of fighting with the fists
a pugilist with the trademark of the boxing ring: a nose that showed signs of having been broken on more than one occasion
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Recent Examples of pugilist
Meanwhile, heavyweight Ross Johnston has been more than a pugilist for the Ducks, posting career highs in assists and points before the halfway mark of the campaign.
—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
21 Dec. 2025
An amateur pugilist who Jean-Luc collaborated with previously, before the guy joined the army and was stationed in Algeria, is recruited to star in it.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Why Exit Planning Can’t Wait Returning to our boxing metaphor, a big plot point of Rocky IV centers on the pugilist’s unease with complacency.
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Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
She is next slated to appear in the boxing drama Christy, based on the life of real professional pugilist Christy Martin.
—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pugilist
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
21 Dec. 2025
An amateur pugilist who Jean-Luc collaborated with previously, before the guy joined the army and was stationed in Algeria, is recruited to star in it.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Why Exit Planning Can’t Wait Returning to our boxing metaphor, a big plot point of Rocky IV centers on the pugilist’s unease with complacency.
—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
She is next slated to appear in the boxing drama Christy, based on the life of real professional pugilist Christy Martin.
—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pugilist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugilist
Noun
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Also seen on the runway was the unisex Ugg x Willy Chavarria Guard Boot was styled with layered silk boxers and an oversized bomber jacket and the Ugg x Willy Chavarria Hotel Slipper with both models sporting that same layered look on top, mesh or long shorts on bottom, and tall white calf socks.
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Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has founded companies in the wellness and media landscape and professional boxer George Foreman endorsed a grill by the same name.
Noun
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ElAttrache performed surgery on McGregor in July 2021, inserting a rod, plates and screws into his left leg after the fighter broke his tibia and fibula during a mixed martial arts bout against Dustin Poirier in Las Vegas.
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Rather than flying directly over enemy territory, strategic bombers can launch stand-off weapons from safer distances while remaining protected by friendly air defenses and fighter escorts.
Cite this Entry
“Pugilist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugilist. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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