truculence

noun

tru·​cu·​lence ˈtrə-kyə-lən(t)s How to pronounce truculence (audio)
 also  ˈtrü-
: the quality or state of being truculent

Examples of truculence in a Sentence

a congenital truculence that resulted in his spending a significant amount of time in the principal's office the sergeant's truculence was revealed when she made the recruits run even further in the heat
Recent Examples on the Web Musk reacted to McCormick’s ruling with characteristic truculence. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2024 And finally, a new series of jolts: a pandemic that wrought havoc on world supply chains; China’s lockdowns at home and its truculence toward Western trading partners critical of its policies; and the economic fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, such as rising energy and food costs. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Jan. 2023 Repression at home produces truculence abroad. Reuel Marc Gerecht, WSJ, 2 Oct. 2022 Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng opened the door to such a meeting after months of diplomatic outbursts from Beijing, where the truculence of the Chinese Foreign Ministry has been matched by military saber-rattling and a crackdown in Hong Kong. Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2020 And he’s defended that position, albeit with unnecessary truculence, in numerous appearances on Capitol Hill. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2021 Jacobs appeared before the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment on October 17, 1983, and spoke with truculence. WIRED, 5 Jan. 2023 His was a presidency built atop mood and resentment and truculence. Robert Schlesinger, The New Republic, 16 Nov. 2022 The Bruins sure could use Hague’s truculence, particularly at that size (6 feet 6 inches, 230 pounds). Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'truculence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of truculence was circa 1727

Dictionary Entries Near truculence

Cite this Entry

“Truculence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truculence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

truculence

noun
truc·​u·​lence
ˈtrək-yə-lən(t)s,
 also  ˈtrük-
: the quality or state of being truculent
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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