pugilistic

American  

[pyoo-juh-lis-tik] / ˌpyu dʒəˈlɪs tɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or involving fighting with the fists, especially professional boxing.

   The movie Rocky is a triumphant, rags-to-riches tale of pugilistic glory.

2. inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile; belligerent.

   She was fired for being a pugilistic, wine-tossing diva who fought with nearly everyone.

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Other Word Forms

• pugilistically adverb
• unpugilistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of pugilistic

pugilist ( def. ) + -ic

Example Sentences

In time, the prince stepped back from his more pugilistic policies, while geopolitics, energy concerns and a turbulent Middle East forced Biden to moderate his rejectionist stance.

From Los Angeles Times

At the heart of the case was the late Frank Carson, a veteran Modesto defense attorney with a pugilistic style who delighted in antagonizing police and prosecutors.

From Los Angeles Times

But the fight was far from a pugilistic masterpiece.

From Los Angeles Times

But indignation stirred the pugilistic reporter to action, marshaling his team at IDL-Reporteros, an online news site, to mount a vigorous, detailed defense.

From Seattle Times

Before entering politics, Jordan honed his pugilistic style during a career as a high school and university champion wrestler, and later as a wrestling coach at Ohio State University.

From Reuters