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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugilists
Noun
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And in a city that knows a thing or two about fighting spirit, these boxers are stepping into the ring for something bigger than themselves.—
Josh Sanders,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026 -
There was none of the usual fanfare that comes with a Grammys performance — just Bieber, his boxers and a guitar.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On the eve of Leo’s arrival, separatist fighters announced a three-day pause in fighting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The bipartisan bill would also require military aircraft to install collision-prevention technologies by 2031, with exceptions for fighters, bombers, drones and other special mission aircraft.—
Olivia Rinaldi,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Part of the appeal of female gladiators was their very paradoxical nature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
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At roughly 1,800 years old, the artwork depicts women fighting animals long after the empire banned them from performing as gladiators.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
1 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Pugilists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugilists. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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