as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
the players need to temper their pugnacity with a little self-restraint—their aggressive style of play too often results in penalties
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Recent Examples of pugnacity
But all of that is in addition to his defense, his rebounding, his slashing, his voice, his pugnacity.
—
Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 22 May 2026
Trump had won by fifty-three points there in 2016, and Greene’s paranoid pugnacity seemed like a good fit, if voters could stomach an outsider.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
That does not mean his pugnacity has dimmed.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 22 May 2026
Trump had won by fifty-three points there in 2016, and Greene’s paranoid pugnacity seemed like a good fit, if voters could stomach an outsider.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
That does not mean his pugnacity has dimmed.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugnacity
Noun
-
Following his Game 1 sluggishness, Wembanyama played with more aggression and decisiveness.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
The teen witness said Hunter Metcalf, the victim’s twin brother, told Anthony to leave in an escalating tone of aggression.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Lurie partly values Roseman because of his strategic aggressiveness to make sure great players are locked down long term.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
Some more aggressiveness on the bases as well.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The idea is that those first steps would create space for gradual deescalation and an effective cessation of hostilities.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
The concept, previously presented in European animation settings including Annecy, was pitched as a YA story about mental health, identity, online hostility and self-acceptance.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pugnacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugnacity. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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