Pugnacious
hardpug-NAY-shus
adjective
Definition
Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight
Examples
“His pugnacious attitude made negotiations difficult.”
“The pugnacious debater challenged every point.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Pugnacious is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "combative" or "bellicose" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "pacific".
Related GRE Words
truculent
Eager to argue or fight; aggressively defiant
quarrelsome
Given to or characterized by quarreling
bellicose
Demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight
belligerent
Hostile and aggressive; engaged in war or conflict
antagonistic
Showing or feeling active opposition or hostility toward someone or something
polarizing
Dividing into sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs
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