as in boxer
one that engages in the sport of fighting with the fists
a pugilist with the trademark of the boxing ring: a nose that showed signs of having been broken on more than one occasion
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Recent Examples of pugilist
An amateur pugilist who Jean-Luc collaborated with previously, before the guy joined the army and was stationed in Algeria, is recruited to star in it.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Why Exit Planning Can’t Wait Returning to our boxing metaphor, a big plot point of Rocky IV centers on the pugilist’s unease with complacency.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
She is next slated to appear in the boxing drama Christy, based on the life of real professional pugilist Christy Martin.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
The fitness center even has a full-size boxing ring where a champion pugilist offers private lessons.
—Caitlin Gunther, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pugilist
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Why Exit Planning Can’t Wait Returning to our boxing metaphor, a big plot point of Rocky IV centers on the pugilist’s unease with complacency.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
She is next slated to appear in the boxing drama Christy, based on the life of real professional pugilist Christy Martin.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
The fitness center even has a full-size boxing ring where a champion pugilist offers private lessons.
—Caitlin Gunther, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pugilist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugilist
Noun
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Playing boxer Jake LaMotta, Robert De Niro gave all of his mind and body to this portrait of a man destroyed by his anger, his jealousies, his pride, his retrograde notions of manhood.—
Devan Coggan,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
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Starla, a young boxer that had been excitedly jumping on the visitors, seemed to sense that something serious was happening.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Boko Haram has since become stronger, with thousands of fighters and different factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province, which is backed by the Islamic State group.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
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Jamie Foxx leads the film, based on the true story of the devastating 1980 plane crash which claimed the lives of America’s Olympic boxing team, leading a determined coach to take on the monumental task of assembling and training new fighters for glory at the 1984 games.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pugilist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugilist. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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