52 entries under contentious topic. ×

26
combative(noun, adjective, attack, sharp, nasty)
21
belligerent(noun, adjective, mean, attack, sharp)
21
bellicose(adjective, mean, attack, sharp, rough)
20
quarrelsome(noun, adjective, attack, sharp, rough)
10
disputatious(adjective, difficult, contrary, aggressive, belligerent)
10
irascible(adjective, difficult, irritable, aggressive, turbulent)
9
scrappy(noun, adjective, mean, attack, sharp)
8
violent(adjective, mean, hard, rough, difficult)
7
argumentative(adjective, mean, nasty, difficult, determined)
6
irritable(adjective, difficult, aggressive, turbulent, belligerent)
6
cantankerous(adjective, rough, nasty, difficult, dark)
5
choleric(adjective, difficult, irritable, aggressive, turbulent)
5
hawkish(adjective, energetic, violent, hostile, antagonistic)
5
litigious(adjective, difficult, contrary, turbulent, belligerent)
5
querulous(adjective, difficult, irritable, turbulent, belligerent)
4
gladiatorial(difficult, energetic, hostile, antagonistic, aggressive)
4
passionate(adjective, difficult, cruel, vicious, irritable)
4
peevish(adjective, difficult, irritable, turbulent, belligerent)
4
petulant(adjective, difficult, irritable, aggressive, turbulent)
3
captious(argumentative, quarrelsome, irascibility)
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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>