Dictionary.com

pugnacious

[ puhg-ney-shuhs ]
/ pʌgˈneɪ ʃəs /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: pugnacious / pugnaciousness / pugnacity on Thesaurus.com
adjective
inclined to quarrel or fight readily; quarrelsome; belligerent; combative.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pugnacious

First recorded in 1635–45; pugnaci(ty) (from Latin pugnācitās “combativeness,” equivalent to pugnāci-, stem of pugnāx combative (akin to pugil; see pugilism) + -tās -ty2) + -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM pugnacious

pug·na·cious·ly, adverbpug·nac·i·ty [puhg-nas-i-tee], /pʌgˈnæs ɪ ti/, pug·na·cious·ness, nounun·pug·na·cious, adjectiveun·pug·na·cious·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to pugnacious

aggressive, antagonistic, argumentative, bellicose, brawling, cantankerous, chip on shoulder, choleric, combative, contentious, defiant, disputatious, have a bone to pick, hot-tempered, irascible, irritable, militant, petulant, pushing, pushy

How to use pugnacious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pugnacious

pugnacious
/ (pʌɡˈneɪʃəs) /
adjective
readily disposed to fight; belligerent

Derived forms of pugnacious

pugnaciously, adverbpugnacity (pʌɡˈnæsɪtɪ) or pugnaciousness, noun

Word Origin for pugnacious

C17: from Latin pugnāx
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK