pugnacious

[ puhg-ney-shuhs ]
See synonyms for: pugnaciouspugnaciousnesspugnacity on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. inclined to quarrel or fight readily; quarrelsome; belligerent; combative.

Origin of pugnacious

1
First recorded in 1635–45; pugnaci(ty) (from Latin pugnācitās “combativeness,” equivalent to pugnāci-, stem of pugnāx combative (akin to pugil; see pugilism) + -tās -ty2) + -ous

Other words for pugnacious

Opposites for pugnacious

Other words from pugnacious

  • pug·na·cious·ly, adverb
  • pug·nac·i·ty [puhg-nas-i-tee], /pʌgˈnæs ɪ ti/, pug·na·cious·ness, noun
  • un·pug·na·cious, adjective
  • un·pug·na·cious·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use pugnacious in a sentence

  • “And I know you labor under a mistake,” said Fizzle, elevating his chin, and folding his arms pugnaciously over his striped vest.

    Ruth Hall | Fanny Fern
  • "Got a telegram for Whittier, Wheatcroft & Co.," the messenger explained, pugnaciously thrusting himself forward.

    Tales of Fantasy and Fact | Brander Matthews
  • Nap crimsoned guilty at the inference; just the same, his chin shot out pugnaciously.

  • He did not say, I am sorry you were not at church, as Ben Trawl pugnaciously expected.

    A Singular Life | Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
  • "I should hate my wife not to like dogs," he cried pugnaciously.

    What Timmy Did | Marie Adelaide Belloc Lowndes

British Dictionary definitions for pugnacious

pugnacious

/ (pʌɡˈneɪʃəs) /


adjective
  1. readily disposed to fight; belligerent

Origin of pugnacious

1
C17: from Latin pugnāx

Derived forms of pugnacious

  • pugnaciously, adverb
  • pugnacity (pʌɡˈnæsɪtɪ) or pugnaciousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012