pugilist

noun

pu·​gi·​list ˈpyü-jə-list 

: fighter

especially : a professional boxer

Synonyms of pugilist

• boxer
• fighter

Examples of pugilist in a Sentence

a pugilist with the trademark of the boxing ring: a nose that showed signs of having been broken on more than one occasion

Recent Examples on the Web

The 50-year-old Ukrainian pugilist was engaged to Panettiere in 2013 during an on-and-off relationship that lasted nearly a decade. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026

The group reached the office of Ilhan Omar, a Democratic congresswoman from Minneapolis who has a reputation as a political pugilist. — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

The Antonoff of the early Bleachers albums was pop’s pint-sized pugilist, muscling his way to the front of the pack. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 30 May 2026

In terms of skippers, our Frank Selee might rightly be considered more philosopher than a pugilist. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1740, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pugilist

noun

pu·​gi·​list ˈpyü-jə-ləst 

: boxer entry 1

pugilistic

ˌpyü-jə-ˈlis-tik

adjective