bruiser

[broo-zer]

noun

Informal.

1. a strong, tough person.

   The football player was over six feet tall and weighed 285 pounds—a real bruiser.

bruiser

/ ˈbruːzə /

noun

1. informal,  a strong tough person, esp a boxer or a bully

Word History and Origins

Origin of bruiser¹

First recorded in 1580–90; bruise + -er ¹

Example Sentences

As urban lizards go, it’s a bruiser, with bodies up to 7 inches long.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mr. Prescott also had a reputation as a pugnacious political bruiser.

Read more on New York Times

John Prescott was an old-style political bruiser who played a vital role in the New Labour project.

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Louise braced both feet as we slanted down the stairs on some big bruiser’s back.

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These U.K. bruisers have been at the forefront of a post-punk renaissance coming out of the British Isles, a movement with an impressively long tail.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• assailant 
• boxer 
• champion 
• combatant 
• mercenary 
• militant 
• opponent 
• soldier 
• tanker 
• warlord 
• warrior