Meaning & use

pugilistic

adjective·Advanced

Relating to boxing or fighting with the fists.

See it in a sentence

The museum's exhibit traced the history of pugilistic sport from bare-knuckle bouts to modern boxing.

His pugilistic stance made it clear he was ready for a fight.

A note on using this word

Pugilistic is a formal or old-fashioned word for anything related to boxing, still used in historical and sports writing.

Words with a similar meaning

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