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pugnacious

[puhg-ney-shuhs] / pʌgˈneɪ ʃəs /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was the Steyer I’ve heard on too many commercials: pugnacious, compassionate but spouting a whole bunch of boilerplate.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

The Russian mobster decides that the brother-sister act—she pugnacious, he perpetually panic-stricken—can be useful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Even by the former’s standards, it was angry, pugnacious, and hence less effective.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

Gulbadin Naib had earlier provided the backbone of Afghanistan's 182-6 with a pugnacious 63 off 35 balls.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

Lincoln was a clever, gangly, pugnacious, provincial lawyer.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith




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