Pugnacious (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Tough and callous by virtue of experience.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Ready and able to resort to force or violence; "pugnacious spirits...lamented that there was so little prospect of an exhilarating disturbance"- Herman Melville; "they were rough and determined fighting men".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The new recruit's pugnacious attitude made him stand out among his peers in the military boot camp.
- After a few drinks, John became more pugnacious and started arguing with the bartender over the score of the game.
- The pugnacious tendencies of the local gang made them notorious in the neighborhood, and everyone knew to steer clear of them.
- As the debate escalated, Sarah's pugnacious responses started to get under her opponent's skin, which only fueled the audience's excitement.
- Throughout history, pugnacious leaders have been feared and revered for their ability to get what they want by any means necessary.