pugnacious
/pʌɡˈneɪ.ʃəs/
Group 8Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight GRE
Example in Context
The pugnacious debater relished confrontation, often provoking opponents into making rash statements that could later be used against them.
Synonyms
aggressivecombativequarrelsome
Etymology
Derived from fighting, indicating a nature inclined to argue or battle.
- pugnare (Latin) — to fight
Memory Aid
🐕Sounds like “pug nation”
A nation of feisty PUGS ready to ARGUE over the last treat — they’re PUGNACIOUS!
Visual Association
👊Two dogs playfully wrestling, each eager to win the tug-of-war.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “pugnacious” mean on the GRE?
pugnacious (adjective) means “Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight”. The pugnacious debater relished confrontation, often provoking opponents into making rash statements that could later be used against them.
How to remember “pugnacious” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “pugnacious” sounds like “pug nation”. A nation of feisty PUGS ready to ARGUE over the last treat — they’re PUGNACIOUS!
What are synonyms for “pugnacious”?
Common synonyms: aggressive, combative, quarrelsome.