pugilist
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pugilist
First recorded in 1780–90; from Latin pugil ( see pugilism) + -ist
Explanation
Pugilist is a fancy word for boxer, one who indulges in the noble art of pugilism, or fighting with one's fists. Be warned when people use the term pugilist or you see it in the paper. Nowadays such a term is often sarcastic in tone and critical of boxing's claims for legitimacy, often suggesting it's essentially savagery masquerading as sport. If you hear "the term "fighter" you can be more certain it's used with approval, or at least without prejudice.
Vocabulary lists containing pugilist
100 SAT words Beginning with "P"
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"Winter Dreams," Vocabulary from the short story
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Becoming Muhammad Ali
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A chance to flex your big vocabulary: Do you know which activity a pugilist engages in?
From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026
In Mr. Scott’s telling, Truman is a scaled-down version of David McCullough’s everyman hero: a political pugilist who, despite inner doubts, never shirked the hard moral decisions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Deborah, being the flinty pugilist that she is, resents her younger comedy twin for pushing her to be more attuned to progressive, empathetic viewpoints.
From Salon ● May 24, 2024
The credibility of boxing is on the line, and the pressure is on Fury to show the gulf between an elite level pugilist and an MMA champion is real.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2023
“Private Nothing, he’s our pugilist, as you might say.”
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
