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
That does not mean his pugnacity has dimmed.
—
Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugnacity
Noun
-
The flame-wielder is a tough match for Mecha Man, necessitating some extrajudicial aggression as Robert lops off two of his opponent’s fingers with a beam saber.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
-
What's more, the researchers were surprised to find no evidence of the spiders' usual cannibalistic aggression.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Davion Mitchell’s defense and aggressiveness?—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That aggressiveness defined December.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One can be sure that the utility of having hostilities with Venezuela for this case is not lost on the administration.—
David Smilde,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Before the Chiefs’ Divisional Round win in January 2024, Jones embraced that hostility by jawing with fans during warmups.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pugnacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugnacity. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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