TRUCULENCE Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

truculence

noun

ˈtrə-kyə-lən(t)s

Definition of truculence

as in aggression

an inclination to fight or quarrel a congenital truculence that resulted in his spending a significant amount of time in the principal's office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cruelty

disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others the sergeant's truculence was revealed when she made the recruits run even further in the heat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of truculence Rogan began the show in his customary posture of sleepy truculence. — Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026 The Oilers have been adding truculence since he was named general manager in 2024. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Frederic could be a fallback third-line centre option if the Leafs can’t get someone better (like Coyle), or support otherwise — truculence and scoring — on the wing. — Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 Last fall’s announcement that Amazon’s Prime Video platform would be teeing up four hours of exclusive coverage of the Masters was met with a predictable show of teeth-gnashing truculence, because how dare the Augusta brass entrust a new carveout to a digital interloper? — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for truculence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for truculence

Noun

Hello to a new era The relationship was characterized by passive aggression, cryptic tweets and small slights that added up to a big, if not inevitable, breakup.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Ukraine and its neighbors are increasingly skeptical that the US will come to their aid in the face of Russian aggression, and are taking precautions accordingly.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of aggression

Noun

According to the Sheriff’s Office, a judge released Cruz on his own recognizance June 4 following his arraignment on felony animal cruelty charges in Sacramento Superior Court.

— Velvet Wu July 1, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
At one point, the narrator, embarrassed by his own act of cruelty, gives a sobbing woman all his money and then leaves her alone in a hotel room.

— Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 1 July 2026

Definition of cruelty

Noun

Dillon Thieneman’s speed Since draft night in April, Thieneman has been lauded for his combination of speed, instincts and aggressiveness.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 24 June 2026
This is a lineup structured to thrive with a small-ball approach — high batting average, chaos and aggressiveness on the basepaths, and manufacturing runs.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026

Definition of aggressiveness

Noun

Lee learned much about the systemic oppression that Black Americans faced from his first student, Jesse Glover, who had been a victim of police brutality.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
These early precedents in fictional brutality also weaken Thomson’s next point, about literature’s superiority.

— Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Definition of brutality

Noun

The Art, Not Science, of Leadership Ultimately, the hostility toward dual-class shares reflects a broader cultural shift in how many good governance advocates view corporate leadership.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
Because that opposition is motivated in part by hostility to artificial intelligence.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 6 July 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

Additionally, occasional rule-breaking and defiance are considered a normal part of child and adolescent development.

— Elizabeth Dowdell, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
The funeral was also used to project defiance, with thousands of mourners filling Tehran and chanting for revenge.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of defiance

Browse Nearby Words

trucks

truculence

truculency

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“Truculence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/truculence. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of truculence

noun

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