truculent

adjective

ˈtrə-kyə-lənt How to pronounce truculent (audio)
Definition of truculentnext
1
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight die-hard fans who became truculent and violent after their team's loss

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language a theater critic who was notorious for his titanically truculent reviews

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others played the role of a disturbed and truculent villain

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of truculent The robot interpreted the command using an LLM and walked over to a corner of the office in a manner not unlike a truculent 9-year-old. — Will Knight, Wired News, 27 Jan. 2026 Even if the administration has no further military designs on the Western Hemisphere, a virtual sword of Damocles hangs over the head of truculent governments. — Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026 France is in the midst of its worst political crisis in decades as a succession of minority governments seek to push deficit-reducing budgets through a truculent legislature split into three distinct ideological blocs. — Reuters, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025 France has been mired in crisis as a series of minority governments struggle to pass deficit-reduction measures through a truculent parliament, split between three ideological blocs. — CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for truculent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for truculent
  1. aggressive
  2. abusive
  3. brutal
  4. militant
  5. insulting
  6. cruel
  7. hostile
  8. outrageous
Adjective
  • The aggressive action will be closely watched by other states and school systems.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Tour participants described an aggressive interrogation by an Israeli border agent.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Dad is an abusive alcoholic, prone to berating and even assaulting his daughter in front of guests, of which Vangelio is currently the only one.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Born into a dysfunctional and abusive household in 1929, Kusama spent much of her childhood in a military factory sewing parachutes for Japan’s imperial army during World War II.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • The wait can be brutal for attorneys and their clients, Yannetti told Fox News Digital.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • But with one brutal tackle, that opportunity was snatched from him.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of brutal
Adjective
  • Pakistan has often accused Afghanistan and India of supporting the TTP and other militant groups, allegations both countries deny.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Israel invaded southern Lebanon in March after Hezbollah, a Shia Lebanese militant group backed by Iran, resumed strikes on Israel to avenge the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • Having Sheridan actually be a cruel person was one of the key audience expectations the writer-director hoped to flip in the pursuit of laughs.
    — William Earl, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But Triage does have a moment in which an ember of the old cruel optimism flickers.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • Kuwait's army said its air defence systems were targeting hostile missile and drone attacks.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some recent laws, including the Safer Skies Act of 2025, grant state and local agencies (though not private-sector entities) greater license to detect and track hostile drones.
    — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • The facts of his biography, no matter how outrageous, could not possibly explain the sheer derangement of his output.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The outfits are increasingly outrageous, including a number featuring knee-high pink leather boots paired with same colored short shorts and a leather bra and long lime green hair.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of outrageous

Browse Nearby Words

truculency
truculent
trudge
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Cite this Entry

“Truculent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/truculent. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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