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

When Bin Salman first came to prominence as Saudi defense minister in 2015, he espoused a pugilistic foreign policy that saw him launch the unsuccessful offensive on the Houthis and kidnap Lebanon’s prime minister.

From Los Angeles Times

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