gladiatorial

adjective

Definition of gladiatorialnext
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight not a reasoned discussion but a shouting match between gladiatorial pundits from opposite ends of the political spectrum

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gladiatorial
  1. aggressive
  2. militant
  3. contentious
  4. hostile
  5. agonistic
  6. warlike
  7. combative
Adjective
  • As Forbes previously reported, Flock has an aggressive expansion strategy, which has sometimes led it to risking breaches of the law.
    — Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • In fact, aggressive stretching can increase instability, putting more strain on the joint that can lead to pain and injury.
    — Dana Santas, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Israel launched its military assault on Gaza after the militant group Hamas killed at least 1,200 people in Israel and abducted more than 250 others on October 7, 2023.
    — Don Riddell, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Why did the ceasefire break down? Both Israel and the Trump administration have blamed Hamas for the resumption of hostilities, citing the militant group's refusal to meet Israel's demand to release more hostages in return for the resumption of talks.
    — Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • The Keller school board has reversed course on a contentious proposal to split the district in two after backlash including, among other reactions, allegations and lawsuits related to possible violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
    — Cody Copeland and, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Dinner conversations ramble on and become contentious confrontations, often captured in single shots.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • Amid the ongoing negotiations over a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia amid their ongoing war, Trump has spoken favorably of Putin while having a sometimes openly hostile relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Bill Belichick's 24-year-old cheerleader girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, posted a screenshot of a hostile exchange with an Instagram user who criticized the couple's relationship Friday.
    — Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • The kitchen remains bloody and agonistic, demanding the preparation of yet another family meal.
    — E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 14 July 2023
  • The agonistic, Faulknerian circumstances fill the house with awful silences.
    — Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Dec. 2022
Definition of agonistic
Adjective
  • Freyja, however, is a more warlike goddess, and even has a part in selecting warriors for her hall in the afterlife.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Some characters die violently in a warlike atmosphere, and the remaining ones struggle with their losses.
    — Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
Definition of warlike
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump’s agenda is taking a combative, rocky path through the judicial branch.
    — Cory Smith, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Driving the news: Vance has won over Trump's base with combative public performances, by savvily managing relationships with Trump's team, and by showing unwavering fealty to Trump's vision.
    — Marc Caputo, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of combative
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Gladiatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gladiatorial. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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