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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The singer thenducks beneath the sparring fists of boxers Xander Zayas and Emiliano Vargas.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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And the group was joined by influencer and boxer Jake Paul.—
John Wawrow,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The camp in western Ethiopia is being used to prepare fighters to join the Rapid Support Forces militia, which is accused of perpetrating a genocide against Sudan’s Black population, according to Reuters.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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These include retiring the legacy B-1 and B-2 bombers only after sufficient B-21 aircraft are operational, and accelerating the procurement of existing fifth-generation fighters such as the F-35 and the F-15EX, as well as autonomous collaborative combat drones.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pugilist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugilist. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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