pugilist

noun

pu·​gi·​list ˈpyü-jə-list How to pronounce pugilist (audio)
: fighter
especially : a professional boxer

Examples of pugilist in a Sentence

a pugilist with the trademark of the boxing ring: a nose that showed signs of having been broken on more than one occasion
Recent Examples on the Web Over the last couple of years, Residente has emerged as an industry pugilist, willing to fight against the commercial forces that can overpower the music scene. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 Her higher profile — as cheerleader, prosecutor, pugilist — is a reset of sorts after Harris’ many early missteps and a series of assignments, among them immigration reform and border control, that seemed destined to fail. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2024 In a nod to his Italian heritage, Mr. Kelly, a onetime pugilist born Paolo Antonio Vaccarelli, renamed the saloon Little Naples. Alex Vadukul, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2023 Donald Trump was the anti-Romney in many ways: Gruff, unpredictable, and above all, a pugilist. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2023 Like a savvy veteran pugilist who forever has that dangerous jab, Lampley still gets fired up talking about the sport and can’t hide his excitement over being back around it. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2023 The state’s sole House seat was captured by Mary Peltola, a relatively moderate mainstream Democrat, who thwarted a comeback bid by the far-right pugilist Sarah Palin. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2023 Jake Paul, pugilist, notorious internet personality and digital entrepreneur, is making his first foray into feature film. Brent Lang, Variety, 6 June 2023 In a post-truth world, pugilists and zealots dismiss such scholarly arguments as apologia for Muslim violence or as a weak case for pluralism that divests Hindus of their rights as the majority. Supriya Gandhi, Foreign Affairs, 13 July 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pugilist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1740, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pugilist was circa 1740

Dictionary Entries Near pugilist

Cite this Entry

“Pugilist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pugilist. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pugilist

noun
pu·​gi·​list ˈpyü-jə-ləst How to pronounce pugilist (audio)
pugilistic
ˌpyü-jə-ˈlis-tik
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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