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
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Recent Examples of gladiatorial
Many people have noted the similarities to ancient gladiatorial contests.
—
Cullen Murphy,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
Some critics view gladiatorial displays of violence as inappropriate for a historic anniversary and complain that the spectacle hits a discordant note amid war in Iran and rising prices.
—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
That fits with the vaguely gladiatorial sensation of singles when two competitors face off across a net, locked in intense battle that becomes as much a test of will as skill.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Hansen and his Dateline NBC crew made gladiatorial reality TV disguised as public service.
—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Fighting those of a comparable or higher status brought greater prizes, advancement in the rankings, and more glory, perhaps even discharge from the gladiatorial school.
—
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
One of the city’s star attractions is the huge 25,000-seat Great Theater, used for theatrical performances, public assemblies, religious ceremonies and, in the Roman era, gladiatorial battles.
—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
In America's gladiatorial two-party system, that could well deprive Republicans of a winning political issue with which to batter out-of-touch, climate change-besotted Democrats.
—
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2025
Speaking a few days before his eagerly awaited womenswear debut for Dior, Anderson described the feeling of stepping into a gladiatorial arena.
—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Cullen Murphy,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
Some critics view gladiatorial displays of violence as inappropriate for a historic anniversary and complain that the spectacle hits a discordant note amid war in Iran and rising prices.
—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
That fits with the vaguely gladiatorial sensation of singles when two competitors face off across a net, locked in intense battle that becomes as much a test of will as skill.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Hansen and his Dateline NBC crew made gladiatorial reality TV disguised as public service.
—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Fighting those of a comparable or higher status brought greater prizes, advancement in the rankings, and more glory, perhaps even discharge from the gladiatorial school.
—
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
One of the city’s star attractions is the huge 25,000-seat Great Theater, used for theatrical performances, public assemblies, religious ceremonies and, in the Roman era, gladiatorial battles.
—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
In America's gladiatorial two-party system, that could well deprive Republicans of a winning political issue with which to batter out-of-touch, climate change-besotted Democrats.
—
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2025
Speaking a few days before his eagerly awaited womenswear debut for Dior, Anderson described the feeling of stepping into a gladiatorial arena.
—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gladiatorial
Adjective
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The goal is gentle smoke and indirect heat rather than aggressive flames.
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Right now, the multi-trillion-dollar global apparel industry is undergoing an aggressive technological shift, adopting artificial intelligence as a production standard rather than an experimental pilot.
Adjective
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Yet Piker himself has followed the DSA’s militant line, repeatedly praising authoritarian regimes such as China’s, Cuba’s, and Russia’s, as well as terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
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There are also concerns that fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon could escalate once more and derail future talks.
Adjective
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These groups tackle politically contentious issues like immigration, human rights, and the environment.
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However, the bill was so contentious that in order to squeak it through, legislators stuffed it full of carve-outs and exemptions, allowing cities to delay implementation by passing their own plans to add density.
Adjective
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And until a Black commentator is held responsible for making openly hostile remarks about White people, nothing will change.
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For example, in March, the crypto exchange Kraken put its multibillion‑dollar IPO on hold amid hostile market conditions, according to CoinDesk.
Adjective
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Their observations reveal that Bruce dominates not only in agonistic interactions but also socially during feeding.
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Ong used the word agonistic; oral cultures are competitive.
Adjective
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The poem that precedes it, the Iliad, is a cruel and beautiful work, the ultimate story of war; the Odyssey has its warlike passages, but its central energies seem almost commonplace beside the merciless fury of Achilles.
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One of the world’s most cooperative mammals is also one of its most warlike.
Adjective
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The release says a 29-year-old man became combative with first responders, and a paramedic shot him.
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Too good to be a benchwarmer, in a starting line-up, the Brazilian’s all-action qualities may align best with Rice to give Arsenal another combative and forward-thinking option in their engine room.
Cite this Entry
“Gladiatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gladiatorial. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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