truculent

American  

[truhk-yuh-luhnt, troo-kyuh-] / ˈtrʌk yə lənt, ˈtru kyə- /

adjective

1. aggressively hostile; belligerent.

2. brutally harsh; vitriolic; scathing.

   Their truculent criticism of my latest work was not entirely fair.

3. savagely brutal; barbarous; cruel.

   Antonyms:

   gentle, kindhearted, humane

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truculent British  

/ ˈtrʌkjʊlənt /

adjective

1. defiantly aggressive, sullen, or obstreperous

2. archaic savage, fierce, or harsh

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Related Words

See fierce.

Other Word Forms

• truculence noun
• truculency noun
• truculently adverb

Etymology

Origin of truculent

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin truculentus, equivalent to truc-, stem of trux “savage, pitiless” + -ulentus adjective suffix; -ulent

Example Sentences

In response, three British warships were sent by William Douglas, the truculent British Columbia governor, also spoiling for a fight.

From Seattle Times

When the state rolled back fares, a truculent “Cap” pulled the plug, halting operations for more than a week.

From Seattle Times

There were lawsuits, investigations, consent decrees and deputy “gangs” to contend with — not to mention repairing the discord sewn during the tenure of his truculent predecessor.

From Los Angeles Times

He describes his co-star in The Piano, the American actor Harvey Keitel, as "truculent and difficult and a bit graceless".

From BBC

Of course, this important nuance was lost on a truculent media, which received Ho’s decision with predictable disdain.

From Seattle Times