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fighting word

noun

Definition of fighting word

: a word likely to provoke a fight

Recent Examples of fighting word from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fighting word.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of fighting word

1917

in the meaning defined above

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fighting word

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