adjective

truculent

/ˈtrʌkjələnt/ · say it: TRUK·yuh·luhnt

eager to argue or fight

In Personality & Character

In more detail

1. (adjective) eager or quick to fight or argue; aggressive and hostile in manner

2. (adjective) fierce or threatening in appearance or tone

Examples

1. The truculent protester shouted angrily at the police officers.
2. He spoke in a truculent voice that made everyone nervous.

How to use truculent

Truculent describes someone or something that is aggressively hostile and ready for confrontation, often with an intimidating or threatening quality. It is more forceful and deliberate than merely aggressive, suggesting an almost combative eagerness rather than passive anger. It is commonly used in formal contexts to critique someone's behavior or demeanor.

Common phrases

truculent manner
truculent tone
truculent attitude
truculent behavior
truculent expression

Synonyms

aggressive · belligerent · combative · hostile · pugnacious

Opposites

peaceful · docile · conciliatory

Word family

truculence (noun) · truculently (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse truculent with reticent or reluctant, but truculent means eager to fight or argue, not unwilling or reluctant.

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