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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At London 2012, boxers and swimmers from Cameroon and Guinea disappeared and ultimately claimed asylum in the UK.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026 -
Sensing Yamamoto might pitch again, Sonoda wore the same boxers for Game 7.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Boko Haram has since become stronger, with thousands of fighters and different factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province, which is backed by the Islamic State group.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
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Svetlana Petriychuk wrote the play Finist, the Brave Falcon, based on real events, about Russian women deceived into marrying ISIS fighters and traveling to Syria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Thousands of Romans once flocked to this arena to watch gladiators battle each other and wild animals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Researchers using advanced imaging technology have deciphered 79 previously invisible inscriptions — including love notes, drawings of gladiators, and everyday messages — on a wall in the ancient city of Pompeii, offering a rare window into the lives of ordinary people nearly 2,000 years ago.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Pugilists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugilists. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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