pugnacious

Adjective
US[puhg-nash-is]/pəɡˈnæʃɪs/3 syllables
Synonyms: hard-bittenhard-boiledrough

Open English WordNet

Adjective (2)

  1. tough and callous by virtue of experienceSynonyms: hard-bittenhard-boiledOpposite tenderSimilar tough
  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”Synonyms: roughOpposite nonaggressiveSimilar aggressive

Related words pugnacity noun

Word of the day · Nov 8About this word
verboseadjective

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Pug·na′cious adjective

Origin: L. pugnax, -acis, fr. pugnare to fight. Cf. Pugilism, Fist.

Disposed to fight; inclined to fighting; quarrelsome; fighting. —Pug·na′wb-a1′>′cious·ly, adverb — Pug·na′wb-a1′>′cious·ness, noun

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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