pugilists

noun

plural of pugilist
as in boxers
one that engages in the sport of fighting with the fists a pugilist with the trademark of the boxing ring: a nose that showed signs of having been broken on more than one occasion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pugilists To his credit, the bloodied Yankees fan fought back much better than most pugilists who give up the high ground. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugilists
  1. boxers
  2. fighters
  3. gladiators
Noun
  • Men's knit vests were styled like halters and worn over button-down shirts and thin long johns peeked out of baggy boxers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Anthony LaRoque was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black pants and red boxers, with a long black-and-white lanyard hanging from his pocket.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of boxers
Noun
  • Israel's domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, was alerted to the fact that Israeli SIM cards that had been distributed to Hamas fighters were activated — a sign of their imminent intention to cross into Israel.
    — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The war killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of fighters
Noun
  • The family said the diagnosis likely stems from his racing career — one in which drivers crushed bumpers and raced like gladiators without the safety protections found in the sport now.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Rome — Rome’s ancient Colosseum, where gladiators were once gored by wild animals to the delight of cheering crowds, has never exactly been associated with safety.
    — Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of gladiators

Browse Nearby Words

pugilist
pugilists
pugnacious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pugilists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugilists. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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