as in boxers
one that engages in the sport of fighting with the fists
a retired pug with battered ears and swollen knuckles
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pugs
This frenzy unfolded into a succession of rings, like craps tables at a casino, in which breed competitions were taking place simultaneously—churning packs of basenjis, salukis, Xoloitzcuintlis, whippets, shih tzus, rat terriers, malamutes, and pugs.
—
Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The team then compared the 14 breeds to pugs, French bulldogs, and bulldogs.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Feb. 2026
Airport arrivals involved a motorcade, with a luggage van, a car for the pugs, and butlers, who escorted the dogs onto the waiting private jets.
—Matt Tyrnauer, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
Valentino and his longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti flitted among their homes — which also included places in New York, London, Rome, Capri and Gstaad, Switzerland — traveling with their pack of pugs.
—CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
And multiple servants in white gloves to tend to the pugs.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 19 Jan. 2026
The largest groups of dog breeds entered into the competition include 149 golden retrievers, 143 dachshunds, 110 French bulldogs, 106 Chihuahuas, 105 Australian shepherds, 100 Labrador retrievers, 82 whippets, 65 Rhodesian ridgebacks, 60 Pomeranians, 58 Chinese cresteds, and 57 pugs.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Photography was not an unusual hobby for a young woman of her milieu, and many of Austen’s early images depict a world of genteel Victorian amusements—parties gathered on porches and scenic overlooks, happy pugs, sunny days in leg-of-mutton sleeves.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025
Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The team then compared the 14 breeds to pugs, French bulldogs, and bulldogs.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Feb. 2026
Airport arrivals involved a motorcade, with a luggage van, a car for the pugs, and butlers, who escorted the dogs onto the waiting private jets.
—Matt Tyrnauer, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
Valentino and his longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti flitted among their homes — which also included places in New York, London, Rome, Capri and Gstaad, Switzerland — traveling with their pack of pugs.
—CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
And multiple servants in white gloves to tend to the pugs.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 19 Jan. 2026
The largest groups of dog breeds entered into the competition include 149 golden retrievers, 143 dachshunds, 110 French bulldogs, 106 Chihuahuas, 105 Australian shepherds, 100 Labrador retrievers, 82 whippets, 65 Rhodesian ridgebacks, 60 Pomeranians, 58 Chinese cresteds, and 57 pugs.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Photography was not an unusual hobby for a young woman of her milieu, and many of Austen’s early images depict a world of genteel Victorian amusements—parties gathered on porches and scenic overlooks, happy pugs, sunny days in leg-of-mutton sleeves.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pugs
Noun
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Like boxers in an early round of a bout, both sides spent about the first 20 minutes feeling each other out.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
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Echoing a similar point is former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who has criticized the current landscape for boxers as stagnant and unfavorable, especially for boxers who aren’t stars.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Truck traditionalists and forum gladiators will argue this, of course.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
31 Mar. 2026
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Thousands of Romans once flocked to this arena to watch gladiators battle each other and wild animals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Epic Fury opened with the most exquisite tools available—stealth bombers, stealth fighters, electronic attack, cyberwar, long-range cruise missiles and penetrating munitions.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Pugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pugs. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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