as in boxers
one that engages in the sport of fighting with the fists
a retired pug with battered ears and swollen knuckles
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pugs
This frenzy unfolded into a succession of rings, like craps tables at a casino, in which breed competitions were taking place simultaneously—churning packs of basenjis, salukis, Xoloitzcuintlis, whippets, shih tzus, rat terriers, malamutes, and pugs.
—
Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The team then compared the 14 breeds to pugs, French bulldogs, and bulldogs.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Feb. 2026
Airport arrivals involved a motorcade, with a luggage van, a car for the pugs, and butlers, who escorted the dogs onto the waiting private jets.
—Matt Tyrnauer, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
Valentino and his longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti flitted among their homes — which also included places in New York, London, Rome, Capri and Gstaad, Switzerland — traveling with their pack of pugs.
—CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
And multiple servants in white gloves to tend to the pugs.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 19 Jan. 2026
The largest groups of dog breeds entered into the competition include 149 golden retrievers, 143 dachshunds, 110 French bulldogs, 106 Chihuahuas, 105 Australian shepherds, 100 Labrador retrievers, 82 whippets, 65 Rhodesian ridgebacks, 60 Pomeranians, 58 Chinese cresteds, and 57 pugs.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Photography was not an unusual hobby for a young woman of her milieu, and many of Austen’s early images depict a world of genteel Victorian amusements—parties gathered on porches and scenic overlooks, happy pugs, sunny days in leg-of-mutton sleeves.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025
Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The team then compared the 14 breeds to pugs, French bulldogs, and bulldogs.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Feb. 2026
Airport arrivals involved a motorcade, with a luggage van, a car for the pugs, and butlers, who escorted the dogs onto the waiting private jets.
—Matt Tyrnauer, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
Valentino and his longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti flitted among their homes — which also included places in New York, London, Rome, Capri and Gstaad, Switzerland — traveling with their pack of pugs.
—CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
And multiple servants in white gloves to tend to the pugs.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 19 Jan. 2026
The largest groups of dog breeds entered into the competition include 149 golden retrievers, 143 dachshunds, 110 French bulldogs, 106 Chihuahuas, 105 Australian shepherds, 100 Labrador retrievers, 82 whippets, 65 Rhodesian ridgebacks, 60 Pomeranians, 58 Chinese cresteds, and 57 pugs.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Photography was not an unusual hobby for a young woman of her milieu, and many of Austen’s early images depict a world of genteel Victorian amusements—parties gathered on porches and scenic overlooks, happy pugs, sunny days in leg-of-mutton sleeves.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugs
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
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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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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
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
Cite this Entry
“Pugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugs. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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