Definitions

1. noun

a person who engages in boxing, especially as an amateur or professional.

“The young pugilist won the regional boxing championship.”

2. noun

a person who is skilled in or experienced with physical combat, especially hand-to-hand combat.

“The military trained the recruits to be skilled pugilists.”

3. noun

a person who is skilled in or experienced with argument or verbal combat.

“The pugilist politician won the debate with his clever arguments.”