pugilists

noun

plural of pugilist
as in boxers
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pugilists To his credit, the bloodied Yankees fan fought back much better than most pugilists who give up the high ground. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugilists
  1. boxers
  2. fighters
  3. gladiators
Noun
  • Men's knit vests were styled like halters and worn over button-down shirts and thin long johns peeked out of baggy boxers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Anthony LaRoque was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black pants and red boxers, with a long black-and-white lanyard hanging from his pocket.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of boxers
Noun
  • If developed into a missile seeker, the technology could offer another way to track stealth fighters beyond visual range.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Turkey for years battled Turkish Kurdish fighters based in northern Iraq before agreeing this year to a peace deal.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of fighters
Noun
  • The family said the diagnosis likely stems from his racing career — one in which drivers crushed bumpers and raced like gladiators without the safety protections found in the sport now.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Rome — Rome’s ancient Colosseum, where gladiators were once gored by wild animals to the delight of cheering crowds, has never exactly been associated with safety.
    — Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of gladiators

Browse Nearby Words

pugilist
pugilists
pugnacious
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Cite this Entry

“Pugilists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugilists. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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