pugilist
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Derived 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.
What consequential life experiences have I missed, taunting my eyeballs, indulging this social media imp turned experimental pugilist as he bumbles around the ring with has-beens and never-weres?
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025
Huston’s heart is certainly in the right place and the narrative corner he’s written for Mike to fight his way out of isn’t an untenable one for a pugilist melodrama.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2024
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
Ever the political pugilist who felt obliged to answer every bell, Adams refused to back away from his belief that the new American government needed a strong executive presence.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
