6
irritable(adjective, difficult, aggressive, turbulent, belligerent)
6
cantankerous(adjective, rough, nasty, difficult, dark)
6
unfriendly(adjective, mean, nasty, hostile, antagonistic)
5
choleric(adjective, difficult, irritable, aggressive, turbulent)
5
fighting(verb, nasty, determined, hostile, spirited)
5
hawkish(adjective, energetic, violent, hostile, antagonistic)
5
litigious(adjective, difficult, contrary, turbulent, belligerent)
5
querulous(adjective, difficult, irritable, turbulent, belligerent)
5
rough(adjective, hard, severe, nasty, harsh)
5
savage(adjective, mean, hard, severe, sharp)
4
bloodthirsty(adjective, cruel, vicious, hostile, brutal)
4
confrontational(adjective, difficult, hostile, aggressive, belligerent)
4
ferocious(adjective, hard, rough, harsh, terrible)
4
gladiatorial(difficult, energetic, hostile, antagonistic, aggressive)
4
hard-bitten
4
harsh(adjective, hostile, belligerent, quarrelsome)
4
offensive(adjective, unpleasant, violent, vigorous, disgusting)
4
passionate(adjective, difficult, cruel, vicious, irritable)
4
peevish(adjective, difficult, irritable, turbulent, belligerent)
4
petulant(adjective, difficult, irritable, aggressive, turbulent)
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APASmart Define. (2015). pugnacious thesaurus. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/pugnacious/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "pugnacious thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/pugnacious/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 22, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, pugnacious thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/pugnacious/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "pugnacious thesaurus" 13 April 2015. Web. 22 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/pugnacious/thesaurus/synonyms>