as in boxers
one that engages in the sport of fighting with the fists
the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of gladiators
At roughly 1,800 years old, the artwork depicts women fighting animals long after the empire banned them from performing as gladiators.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Truck traditionalists and forum gladiators will argue this, of course.
—New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2026
Thousands of Romans once flocked to this arena to watch gladiators battle each other and wild animals.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Researchers using advanced imaging technology have deciphered 79 previously invisible inscriptions — including love notes, drawings of gladiators, and everyday messages — on a wall in the ancient city of Pompeii, offering a rare window into the lives of ordinary people nearly 2,000 years ago.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
In these unedifying spectacles, the lion was just one of a host of large creatures, from wolves to giraffes, that were released into an amphitheater to be hunted down by specialist gladiators known as bestiarii.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
There were dancing gladiators and moka pots, a phalanx of runway models dressed (in Armani) in green, white and red, to represent the Italian flag.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Ashur’s gladiators, especially the ambitious Tarchon (Jordi Webber) and Korris, are eager to bask in the notoriety, riches and freedoms a champion status would bring them.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025
That is gladiators without swords.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Truck traditionalists and forum gladiators will argue this, of course.
—New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2026
Thousands of Romans once flocked to this arena to watch gladiators battle each other and wild animals.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Researchers using advanced imaging technology have deciphered 79 previously invisible inscriptions — including love notes, drawings of gladiators, and everyday messages — on a wall in the ancient city of Pompeii, offering a rare window into the lives of ordinary people nearly 2,000 years ago.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
In these unedifying spectacles, the lion was just one of a host of large creatures, from wolves to giraffes, that were released into an amphitheater to be hunted down by specialist gladiators known as bestiarii.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
There were dancing gladiators and moka pots, a phalanx of runway models dressed (in Armani) in green, white and red, to represent the Italian flag.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Ashur’s gladiators, especially the ambitious Tarchon (Jordi Webber) and Korris, are eager to bask in the notoriety, riches and freedoms a champion status would bring them.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025
That is gladiators without swords.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gladiators
Noun
-
The boxers, aged 40 and 42 respectively, threw hopeful knockout punches and barely jabbed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Benvolio pulls up the covers on the other side, revealing Jupe in nothing but his boxers.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In 1978, following a series of attacks organized by Palestinian fighters from Lebanese soil, Israel invaded Lebanon and occupied its south in what was known as Operation Litani.—
Mireille Rebeiz,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In 1969, Palestinian fighters used the area here — with Lebanon’s blessing — to wage attacks on Israel, prompting Israeli soldiers to dynamite 17 houses in Kfar Chouba.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gladiators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gladiators. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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