What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
truculent
Example
The truculent dog growled and bared its teeth at the stranger. [truculent: adjective]
Example
The politician's truculent speech was full of insults and threats. [truculent: adjective]
pugnacious
Example
The pugnacious boxer entered the ring with a fierce look in his eyes. [pugnacious: adjective]
Example
The debate turned pugnacious as each candidate attacked the other's policies. [pugnacious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pugnacious is more commonly used than truculent in everyday language. Pugnacious is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while truculent is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between truculent and pugnacious?
While both truculent and pugnacious have negative connotations, truculent is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone, while pugnacious is more commonly used in informal contexts.
