Meanings
adverbpugnaciously (comparative more pugnaciously, superlative most pugnaciously)
comparative more pugnaciously · superlative most pugnaciously
- In an aggressive or combative manner.
Moreover, in using it he waggled his scalp at her in a way that made his crest of hair bristle up pugnaciously, as if proposing combat with her on the spot.
1950, Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish?, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 62
Synonyms & antonyms
Also see
Origin
From pugnacious + -ly. Attested since the early 19th century.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Polish wojowniczo, awanturniczo
- wojowniczoin a pugnacious manner
- awanturniczoin a pugnacious manner
- zadzierzyściein a pugnacious manner
- zadziorniein a pugnacious manner
- zawadiackoin a pugnacious manner
- czupurniein a pugnacious manner
Cite this entry
APA
pugnaciously. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pugnaciously
MLA
“pugnaciously.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pugnaciously. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “pugnaciously,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pugnaciously.
Source: pugnaciously on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.