Synonyms of gladiatorial

gladiatorial

adjective

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight

not a reasoned discussion but a shouting match between gladiatorial pundits from opposite ends of the political spectrum

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aggressive
• militant
• contentious
• hostile
• agonistic
• warlike
• combative
• fierce
• assaultive
• ugly
• confrontational
• pugnacious
• irritable
• savage
• bellicose
• belligerent
• vicious
• feisty
• acidic
• scrappy
• truculent
• quarrelsome
• disputatious
• brawly
• chippy
• argumentative
• fighting
• on the warpath
• discordant
• antagonistic
• cross
• rude
• warring
• disagreeable
• waspish
• peevish
• fractious
• petulant
• battling
• bilious
• pettish
• irascible
• fretful
• querulous
• testy
• bristly
• surly
• snappish
• dyspeptic
• choleric
• hot-tempered
• ornery
• ill-tempered
• grumpy
• huffy
• touchy
• stroppy
• bearish
• grouchy
• ill-humored
• crabby
• ill-natured
• cranky
• snappy
• prickly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• peaceable
• nonaggressive
• pacific
• unwarlike
• pleasant
• benevolent
• amiable
• good-natured
• friendly
• nonbelligerent
• genial
• uncontentious
• gracious
• cordial
• uncombative
• sociable
• affable
• amicable
• conciliatory
• unbelligerent
• easygoing
• complaisant
• quiet
• ingratiating
• calm
• tranquil
• serene
• mild
• antimilitarist
• kindhearted
• relaxed
• benign
• gentle
• obliging
• anti-imperialist
• good-tempered
• kindly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gladiatorial

Erivo plays a British defense barrister who exudes enviable brilliance in navigating the ruthless and gladiatorial London courtrooms. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 July 2026

This one has been commemorated by a gladiatorial contest on the White House grounds and by an, apparently coming up, a long speech by the president of the day. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026

Some critics view gladiatorial displays of violence as inappropriate for a historic anniversary and complain that the spectacle hits a discordant note amid war in Iran and rising prices. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 12 June 2026

Hansen and his Dateline NBC crew made gladiatorial reality TV disguised as public service. — Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Fighting those of a comparable or higher status brought greater prizes, advancement in the rankings, and more glory, perhaps even discharge from the gladiatorial school. — Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026

One of the city’s star attractions is the huge 25,000-seat Great Theater, used for theatrical performances, public assemblies, religious ceremonies and, in the Roman era, gladiatorial battles. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026

In America's gladiatorial two-party system, that could well deprive Republicans of a winning political issue with which to batter out-of-touch, climate change-besotted Democrats. — MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Speaking a few days before his eagerly awaited womenswear debut for Dior, Anderson described the feeling of stepping into a gladiatorial arena. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025