Definition of Pugnacious

1. Adjective. Tough and callous by virtue of experience.

Exact synonyms: Hard-bitten, Hard-boiled
Similar to: Tough

2. Adjective. Ready and able to resort to force or violence. "They were rough and determined fighting men"
Exact synonyms: Rough
Similar to: Aggressive
Derivative terms: Pugnacity, Roughness

Definition of Pugnacious

1. a. Disposed to fight; inclined to fighting; quarrelsome; fighting.

Definition of Pugnacious

1. Adjective. Naturally aggressive or hostile; combative; belligerent. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pugnacious

1. [adj]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pugnacious

pugilisms
pugilist
pugilistic
pugilistically
pugilistics
pugilists
pugillare
pugillares
pugils
pugio
pugios
puglike
pugmark
pugmarks
pugmill
pugnacious
pugnaciously
pugnaciousness
pugnacities
pugnacity
pugnae
pugnosed
pugree
pugrees
pugs
puh
puh-lease
puha
puhas
puir

Literary usage of Pugnacious

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Documentary History of Reconstruction: Political, Military, Social by Walter Lynwood Fleming (1907)
"... A Pugnacious Methodist Preacher Richardson, Lights and Shadows of Itinerant Life, (1901), pp. 183-4. Used by permission of Smith and ..."

2. Appletons' Annual Cyclopædia and Register of Important Events of the Year (1903)
"When the harvest is garnered it is no uncommon occurrence for them to indulge their pugnacious instinct by engaging in intertribal fights, and only at long ..."

3. Ten Years in Washington: Life and Scenes in the National Capital, as a Woman by Mary Clemmer (1874)
"... The Work that Has Been Done — One Hundred and Fifty Thousand People Grumbling— Letter of an Ancient Claimant — The Wrath of a Pugnacious Captain. ..."

4. The Great Illusion: A Study of the Relation of Military Power in Nations to by Norman Angell (1911)
"... be precipitated thereby— Scientific justification of international pugnacity—Struggle between nations the law of survival—If a nation not pugnacious in ..."

5. Ten Years in Washington: Or, Inside Life and Scenes in Our National Capital by Mary Clemmer (1882)
"... West"—Where is the Centre of Population—An Important Proclamation—Original Land Owners—Well-worn Patents—Getting on with Pugnacious Planters— Obstinate ..."

6. A Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen by Robert Chambers, Thomas Thomson (1870)
"... trying voyage to India, which often makes the peaceful pugnacious and the benevolent selfish, only served to draw out the natural kindness of his heart. ..."

7. The Great Illusion: A Study of the Relation of Military Power in Nations to by Norman Angell (1910)
"... thereby— Scientific justification of international pugnacity—Struggle between nations the law of survival—If a nation not pugnacious in some degree, ..."

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