pugilist
noun
pu·gi·list ˈpyü-jə-list 
: fighter
especially : a professional boxer
Synonyms
- boxer
- fighter
- gladiator
- prizefighter
- pug
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Jake Paul, pugilist and popular digital influencer, is throwing his hat into the wagering world. 
Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 Aug. 2022 By embracing her image as a political pugilist, Lightfoot is betting that Chicago voters will see her as a righteous fighter rather than someone who throws unnecessary haymakers. Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2022 Part mentor and part intellectual pugilist, Gibson imported a kind of alienated bohemianism to the school. New York Times, 5 Apr. 2022 Which pugilist will emerge as the undisputed heavyweight champion when Francis Ngannou takes on interim champion Ciryl Gane? Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2022 Stockier, too, with a pugilist’s build, and muscles that looked earned rather than sculpted in a gym. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2021 Six-time major champion, golf icon and media pugilist Phil Mickelson made the cut on the number, shot even-par 72 and stayed at 3 under with no hope of winning. Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 3 July 2021 In Logan Paul, as well as his 24-year-old brother, Jake, himself a YouTuber-turned-pugilist, boxing has found a way to rework the usual celeb boxing melancholy into something with far bigger metrics. Jason Gay, WSJ, 7 June 2021 The already portly pugilist ballooned from 268 pounds to 283 for the rematch just six months later and lost in a landslide decision. Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2021 See More
Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 Aug. 2022 By embracing her image as a political pugilist, Lightfoot is betting that Chicago voters will see her as a righteous fighter rather than someone who throws unnecessary haymakers. Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2022 Part mentor and part intellectual pugilist, Gibson imported a kind of alienated bohemianism to the school. New York Times, 5 Apr. 2022 Which pugilist will emerge as the undisputed heavyweight champion when Francis Ngannou takes on interim champion Ciryl Gane? Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2022 Stockier, too, with a pugilist’s build, and muscles that looked earned rather than sculpted in a gym. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2021 Six-time major champion, golf icon and media pugilist Phil Mickelson made the cut on the number, shot even-par 72 and stayed at 3 under with no hope of winning. Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 3 July 2021 In Logan Paul, as well as his 24-year-old brother, Jake, himself a YouTuber-turned-pugilist, boxing has found a way to rework the usual celeb boxing melancholy into something with far bigger metrics. Jason Gay, WSJ, 7 June 2021 The already portly pugilist ballooned from 268 pounds to 283 for the rematch just six months later and lost in a landslide decision. Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1740, in the meaning defined above
pugilist
noun
as in boxer
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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- prizefighter
- gladiator
- pug
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