1
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
a congenital truculence that resulted in his spending a significant amount of time in the principal's office
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cruelty
disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others
the sergeant's truculence was revealed when she made the recruits run even further in the heat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of truculence
Trump’s truculence has infuriated many Canadians, leading many to cancel U.S. vacations, refuse to buy American goods and possibly even vote early.
—
Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Frederic could be a fallback third-line centre option if the Leafs can’t get someone better (like Coyle), or support otherwise — truculence and scoring — on the wing.
—Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Other international powers are showing even less patience for Israeli truculence.
—Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2024
Government regulation had to be escalated and hundreds of lawsuits had to be filed before the company’s truculence was overcome.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 9 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for truculence
Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Frederic could be a fallback third-line centre option if the Leafs can’t get someone better (like Coyle), or support otherwise — truculence and scoring — on the wing.
—Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Other international powers are showing even less patience for Israeli truculence.
—Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2024
Government regulation had to be escalated and hundreds of lawsuits had to be filed before the company’s truculence was overcome.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 9 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for truculence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for truculence
Noun
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This is a deliberate choice of aggression when diplomacy and security were within reach.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
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Don’t yell at your cat or punish it, as this can lead to aggression and other behavioral problems.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Colin Gray, 55, pleaded not guilty on two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, 20 counts of cruelty to children and five counts of reckless conduct.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
24 Feb. 2026
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Set to shoot in Kentucky in April, the film is based on the viral true story of Jeff Callaway and the rescue dog Ethan, whose miraculous survival inspired the world and led to meaningful changes to animal cruelty laws in Kentucky.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Trotter said that aggressiveness is intentional, particularly as a blitzer.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2026
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But Allar didn’t play well in six games as a senior, struggling with inconsistency and aggressiveness.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The doctors in Iran and abroad said the level of brutality and militarization of health facilities was unprecedented in a country that for decades has experienced crackdowns on dissent and surveillance of public institutions.—
Sarah El Deeb,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
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The brutality of the murder, the sophistication of the planning and the fact that it was carried out by a group of teens from loving, mostly well-off families drew widespread attention to the case.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Chinese renewables manufacturers currently face huge uncertainty — and often hostility — while doing business in Europe.—
Xiaoying You,
semafor.com,
24 Feb. 2026
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The conflict, known as the Troubles, began after civil rights protestors in Northern Ireland were met with hostility by authorities in 1969.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Now, Zelenskyy’s defiance of the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion has taken on an increasingly exasperated, if not desperate, tone.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
24 Feb. 2026
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To someone unfamiliar with the condition, all could be mistaken for intoxication, defiance or guilt.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Truculence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/truculence. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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