truculent

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   defiantly aggressive

   The shadow minister gave a truculent speech against the new government.

2. 2
   adj

   Cruel or savage.

   The truculent soldiers gave us a steely-eyed stare.

3. 3
   adj

   Defiant or uncompromising.

   In her turn, Helen Burns asked me to explain, and I proceeded forthwith to pour out, in my own way, the tale of my sufferings and resentments. Bitter and truculent when excited, I spoke as I felt, without reserve or softening.

4. 4
   adj

   Eager or quick to argue, fight or start a conflict.

   She might pity herself, but he must not pity her. She did not want any quarrel; she blamed him for wanting one, but she could not help assuming a truculent attitude.

First attested circa 1540, from Middle French, from Latin truculentus (“fierce, savage”), from trux (“fierce, wild”).

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