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
  • Russ has a solid roster of people from different stretches of Tyson’s life, from childhood friends to gym partners to follow boxers to family members to several of the women who didn’t divorce him or accuse him of rape.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In addition, there's a killer-looking dark apocalypse comedy and a docuseries about one of the most famous boxers of all time.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of boxers
Noun
  • Both Chun-Li and her boss have ulterior motives, Bison seeking to exploit the fighters’ powers for his own nefarious end and Chun-Li secretly an Interpol agent seeking to take Bison down for having murdered her father.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • What started as a capture and extraction mission turned into hell on Earth after multiple helicopters were hit by Somalia fighters.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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