Synonym Chooser

How is the word pugnacious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of pugnacious are bellicose, belligerent, contentious, and quarrelsome. While all these words mean "having an aggressive or fighting attitude," pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat.

a pugnacious gangster

In what contexts can bellicose take the place of pugnacious?

The synonyms bellicose and pugnacious are sometimes interchangeable, but bellicose suggests a disposition to fight.

a drunk in a bellicose mood

When would belligerent be a good substitute for pugnacious?

While the synonyms belligerent and pugnacious are close in meaning, belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities.

belligerent nations

Where would contentious be a reasonable alternative to pugnacious?

Although the words contentious and pugnacious have much in common, contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling.

wearied by his contentious disposition

When is it sensible to use quarrelsome instead of pugnacious?

The meanings of quarrelsome and pugnacious largely overlap; however, quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause.

the heat made us all quarrelsome

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 pugnacious He’s defended cops and lawyers who’ve gotten in trouble and crafted a reputation as a pugnacious advocate for often high-profile clients in high-stakes cases. Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025 Image The often pugnacious Mr. Connolly criticized a Republican bill in 2024 to rename Dulles International Airport, some of whose employees live in his district, after Mr. Trump. Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 21 May 2025 Paul is pugnacious, especially with the detectives when his criminal past prompts them to question him as a possible suspect. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025 The new man likely will bring a tad of pugnacious energy that is needed to the club. Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pugnacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugnacious
Adjective
  • But even in Alberta, a province that has favored development, the legacy policies are still likely not aggressive enough to meet the moment.
    Mark Le Dain, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • Most recently the administration asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for downsizing the federal workforce despite multiple court rulings that congressional approval is needed to make such aggressive reductions.
    Ragan Whitlock, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • The aid group accused Hamas of carrying out the assault; the militant group has not yet responded to the allegations.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
  • Some activists have been criticized for spreading messages seen as antisemitic or outright supportive of militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Syria has turned from a fertile ground to a hostile one for Iran and its assets, after the Assad regime was toppled in December.
    Lina Khatib, Time, 19 June 2025
  • By contrast, the U.S. had appeared openly skeptical and was often even seen as hostile.
    Ozan Ozerk, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • The contentious professional relationship between billionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has seemingly come to an end.
    Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Everything's an 'emergency': How Trump's executive order record pace is testing the courts Lawmakers often shy away from piling too much into one bill because each contentious provision spurs its own opposition.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pugnacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugnacious. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

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