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
  • As a teenager and young adult, Tae-ha had a bright future as one of South Korea’s best young boxers.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Next up, Average Joes versus NFL players, NHL players and pro boxers!
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of boxers
Noun
  • The key question for the inflation-fighters at the Fed — not to mention for consumers struggling with high gas and grocery prices — is how quickly those one-time effects will fade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Assad fled the capital Damascus as rebel fighters closed in nearly two years ago, and is currently in Russia, where he and his family were granted asylum on humanitarian grounds.
    — Kinda Makieh, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of fighters
Noun
  • The Greeks branded their slaves; the Romans tattooed their gladiators.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • She was seen Monday in New York wearing a plunging archival Alberta Ferretti minidress and Sophia Webster heeled gladiators.
    — Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
Definition of gladiators

Browse Nearby Words

pugilist
pugilists
pugnacious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pugilists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugilists. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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