gladiator
noun
glad·i·a·tor ˈgla-dē-ˌā-tər 
1
: a person engaged in a fight to the death as public entertainment for ancient Romans
2
: a person engaging in a public fight or controversy
3
: a trained fighter
especially : a professional boxer
gladiatorial
ˌgla-dē-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl
adjective 
Synonyms
- boxer
- fighter
- prizefighter
- pug
- pugilist
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners
Recent Examples on the Web Valve has removed Roman gladiator sim Domina from Steam after the developer used a recent patch notes post as an opportunity to rant against transgender people and the idea of changing your public gender identity. 
Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 2 Sep. 2022 Partisan politics have become a multi-million dollar modern day gladiator sport of character assassination, and to the wealthy victor go the spoils. Anchorage Daily News, 5 Aug. 2022 No one wants to be seen as the losing gladiator in that fight, so if anything, those involved with both shows were at pains with Variety to make clear there isn’t a rivalry between them, friendly or otherwise. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 4 Aug. 2022 Peacock announced a straight-to-series order Tuesday for a gladiator drama with Independence Day director Roland Emmerich. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 July 2022 Waititi will be back as the Kronan gladiator, Korg, and Jeff Goldblum will reprise his role as the Grandmaster, ruler of the planet Sakaar. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 Apr. 2022 Channel your inner gladiator and display the thumbs-down. Charles Dryer And Collin Morgan, Car and Driver, 7 July 2022 Entrekin joined the riot dressed in a gladiator costume meant to invoke Captain Moroni, a figure from the Book of Mormon. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 28 June 2022 Keep your vibe classic with sporty styles from Teva and Arizona Love, or opt for something more offbeat like Doc Martens’s chunky gladiator sandals. Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 7 June 2022 See More
Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 2 Sep. 2022 Partisan politics have become a multi-million dollar modern day gladiator sport of character assassination, and to the wealthy victor go the spoils. Anchorage Daily News, 5 Aug. 2022 No one wants to be seen as the losing gladiator in that fight, so if anything, those involved with both shows were at pains with Variety to make clear there isn’t a rivalry between them, friendly or otherwise. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 4 Aug. 2022 Peacock announced a straight-to-series order Tuesday for a gladiator drama with Independence Day director Roland Emmerich. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 July 2022 Waititi will be back as the Kronan gladiator, Korg, and Jeff Goldblum will reprise his role as the Grandmaster, ruler of the planet Sakaar. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 Apr. 2022 Channel your inner gladiator and display the thumbs-down. Charles Dryer And Collin Morgan, Car and Driver, 7 July 2022 Entrekin joined the riot dressed in a gladiator costume meant to invoke Captain Moroni, a figure from the Book of Mormon. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 28 June 2022 Keep your vibe classic with sporty styles from Teva and Arizona Love, or opt for something more offbeat like Doc Martens’s chunky gladiator sandals. Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 7 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin, from gladius sword, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cleddyf sword
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
gladiator
noun
glad·i·a·tor ˈgla-dē-ˌā-tər
: a man in ancient Rome who took part in fights as public entertainment
gladiatorial
adjective
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight not a reasoned discussion but a shouting match between gladiatorial pundits from opposite ends of the political spectrum Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aggressive
- militant
- contentious
- agonistic
- hostile
- warlike
- combative
- fierce
- assaultive
- savage
- pugnacious
- confrontational
- ugly
- bellicose
- irritable
- vicious
- belligerent
- feisty
- scrappy
- brawly
- acidic
- truculent
- fighting
- disputatious
- quarrelsome
- chippy
- argumentative
- discordant
- antagonistic
- cross
- warring
- rude
- waspish
- disagreeable
- fractious
- peevish
- petulant
- bilious
- battling
- on the warpath
- irascible
- fretful
- querulous
- snappish
- bristly
- testy
- surly
- choleric
- dyspeptic
- pettish
- hot-tempered
- ill-tempered
- ornery
- huffy
- grumpy
- stroppy
- ill-humored
- touchy
- grouchy
- bearish
- snappy
- crabby
- ill-natured
- prickly
- cranky
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peaceful
- peaceable
- unwarlike
- nonaggressive
- nonbelligerent
- pacific
- pleasant
- benevolent
- amiable
- uncontentious
- antimilitarist
- uncombative
- genial
- friendly
- unbelligerent
- gracious
- sociable
- affable
- cordial
- amicable
- easygoing
- conciliatory
- complaisant
- tranquil
- ingratiating
- serene
- mild
- quiet
- calm
- relaxed
- good-natured
- kindhearted
- anti-imperialist
- gentle
- benign
- obliging
- good-tempered
- kindly