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
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
Even Kamala Harris, maybe especially Harris, fits that insider image, and certainly Gavin Newsom, despite zigzagging from centrist to pugilist, can’t forward his presidential ambitions as anything but old-guard.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Bernthal, with his handsome pugilist’s profile, plays Braxton’s emotions explosively close to the surface.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 25 Apr. 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
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
Even Kamala Harris, maybe especially Harris, fits that insider image, and certainly Gavin Newsom, despite zigzagging from centrist to pugilist, can’t forward his presidential ambitions as anything but old-guard.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Bernthal, with his handsome pugilist’s profile, plays Braxton’s emotions explosively close to the surface.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 25 Apr. 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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Ryan Garcia is an immensely talented boxer who has gone through his share of personal and professional turmoil in his young career, but at some point, his skills figured to put him on top.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
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It's been a long year for boxer Ryan Garcia.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The missile can be deployed from fighter jets and bombers.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
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The fighters’ first meeting happened more than a half-decade after fans first began to clamor for an obvious matchup between two similarly sized greats.—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pugilist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugilist. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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