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truculent

adjective

ˈtrə-kyə-lənt How to pronounce truculent (audio)
Definition of truculentnext
1
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight die-hard fans who became truculent and violent after their team's loss

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language a theater critic who was notorious for his titanically truculent reviews

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others played the role of a disturbed and truculent villain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 truculent The robot interpreted the command using an LLM and walked over to a corner of the office in a manner not unlike a truculent 9-year-old. — Will Knight, Wired News, 27 Jan. 2026 Even if the administration has no further military designs on the Western Hemisphere, a virtual sword of Damocles hangs over the head of truculent governments. — Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026 France is in the midst of its worst political crisis in decades as a succession of minority governments seek to push deficit-reducing budgets through a truculent legislature split into three distinct ideological blocs. — Reuters, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025 France has been mired in crisis as a series of minority governments struggle to pass deficit-reduction measures through a truculent parliament, split between three ideological blocs. — CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for truculent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for truculent
  1. aggressive
  2. abusive
  3. brutal
  4. militant
  5. insulting
  6. cruel
  7. hostile
  8. outrageous
Adjective
  • On one hand, the aggressive expansion of data centers is intensifying competition for finite resources like land and water, putting them in direct conflict with agricultural land use in certain regions.
    — , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Harsh cleaners and aggressive scrubbing can damage these surfaces.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Many viewers left that film unconvinced Rockwell’s abusive cop deserved the redemption he was given.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Reminiscent of the discussions around Michael Jackson’s upbringing, this Lanterns episode has sparked specific conversations about parenting Black boys and children into greatness, and what actions constitute abusive or unhealthy parenting.
    — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • Horror films and increasingly brutal crime stories reveal the very large market for the subject.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • McKinley stages a few bullet-sweating sequences of peril, including a particularly brutal transport of gold bars across a crumbling rope bridge and an underwater accident exacerbated by floating logs.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of brutal
Adjective
  • There are concerns that the Houthis' advance toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could have significant ramifications for energy markets and global trade, particularly if the militant group ratchets up threats or attacks on Red Sea shipping.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003, accused of developing and directing the 9/11 attacks, as a leader of the Islamic militant group Al Qaeda.
    — Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • Some job seekers say AI interviews can feel impersonal, stilted, and downright insulting.
    — Sarah Jackson Juhohn Lee, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Even more insulting was the cold, transactional nature of the intrusion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • Like her, Americans are also so tired of being screwed by an administration that’s not only grossly incompetent and cruel but corrupt as well.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than heroic, these costly and horribly uncertain stunts come across callous and cruel.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • Worse, her estranged sister April (Naomi Watts), a drama queen, and hostile mother, Diane (Dianne Wiest), fly in from their Michigan hair salon to add to Sandra’s suffering.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • European authorities have linked Moscow to a rising number of drone incursions, sabotage incidents, cyberattacks, and other hostile acts across the continent in recent months.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Part true crime, part tall tale, this is a story about friendship, outrageous antics, betrayal, and a whole lot of weed.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Winning the biggest tournaments in tennis is usually about coming up with some outrageous forehands and backhand and serves in the biggest moments.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of outrageous

Browse Nearby Words

truculency
truculent
trudge
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Cite this Entry

“Truculent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/truculent. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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