Definitions:

1. naturally aggressive, hostile or combative adjective
   • The general was pugnacious and it suited their work in wartime.
2. ready and able to resort to force or violence adjective
   • The troops were well rested and quite pugnacious.
3. tough and callous by virtue of experience adjective
   • The laborers were pugnacious after years of hard work.

Synonyms:

• hard-bitten
• hard-boiled
• rough

NearBy Words:

• pugnaciously