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
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Recent Examples of pugilist
An amateur pugilist who Jean-Luc collaborated with previously, before the guy joined the army and was stationed in Algeria, is recruited to star in it.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Why Exit Planning Can’t Wait Returning to our boxing metaphor, a big plot point of Rocky IV centers on the pugilist’s unease with complacency.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
She is next slated to appear in the boxing drama Christy, based on the life of real professional pugilist Christy Martin.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
The fitness center even has a full-size boxing ring where a champion pugilist offers private lessons.
—Caitlin Gunther, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pugilist
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Why Exit Planning Can’t Wait Returning to our boxing metaphor, a big plot point of Rocky IV centers on the pugilist’s unease with complacency.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
She is next slated to appear in the boxing drama Christy, based on the life of real professional pugilist Christy Martin.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
The fitness center even has a full-size boxing ring where a champion pugilist offers private lessons.
—Caitlin Gunther, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pugilist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugilist
Noun
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The boxers, aged 40 and 42 respectively, threw hopeful knockout punches and barely jabbed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Benvolio pulls up the covers on the other side, revealing Jupe in nothing but his boxers.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Nearby are paintings of animal-human hybrids by the Danish artist Ovartaci and a 2022 video environment by Christopher Kulendran Thomas, which includes what appears to be footage of Tamil independence fighters and a deepfake of Kim Kardashian.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
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Other Colorado fighters Where other UFC fighters from The Centennial State currently stand in their respective weight classes.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pugilist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugilist. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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