truculent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "truculent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means "aggressive, fierce, and unyielding". You could use it to describe a person's attitude or behavior, as in: His truculent comments provoked a heated argument.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As in 2002, a truculent nation demands a monarchy on its own, emotional terms.

The Economist

If she hopes to co-opt the young activists, she may have to take greater risks with the island's truculent neighbour.Even the KMT has adjusted its policies in response to grassroots activism and not just on matters relating to cross-strait trade.

The Economist

He stepped in to end the rubbish strike, offering a 19% wage increase at a meeting with Hugo Moyano, the truculent truckers' leader who also heads Argentina's largest labour confederation.

The Economist

He finally managed to get rid of one of the most truculent of those shareholders last month by acquiring the stake held by Liberty Media, a conglomerate run by his old friend, turned thorn-in-the-side, John Malone.

The Economist

But he has been unusually truculent towards China, even for a presidential candidate.

The Economist

But the real battle lies elsewhere.It lies between Mr Cameron, a likeable fellow and fine communicator whose true abilities have yet to be tested, and battle-hardened Gordon Brown, the truculent chancellor of the exchequer who is expected to take over as Labour prime minister when Mr Blair moves on.

The Economist

A change in president to one more sympathetic to the truculent unions that represent airline workers may make future deals harder to push through.David Castelveter of the ATA argues that the government could do more to help.

The Economist

Mr Kaplan, who has found a niche writing books that are a cross between journalism and policy prescription, is sanguine about China's ambitions, claiming the region's rising power, "however truculent, is no Imperial Japan".

The Economist

Whether exiled, snubbed by their colonial masters or merely trembling defiantly before their truculent volcano, they offer a reminder to mainlanders everywhere that island life is not all it is cracked up to be.For many people, few places are as beguiling as an island.

The Economist

But there are suspicions that Mr Kabariti may have become too truculent for the king's liking in his comments about the Israeli government.The king's conflicting signals are understandable as he tries, desperately, to shore up a peace process that is collapsing about him.

The Economist

Were the truculent masses to disagree with that message, they were changed the masses, that is, not the pictures.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truculent" to describe someone who is not only aggressive but also stubbornly resistant to change or persuasion. It's suitable when you want to convey a sense of confrontational defiance.

Common error

Avoid using "truculent" simply as a synonym for "angry" or "aggressive". Truculence implies a deliberate and stubborn defiance, not just a display of temper.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "truculent" primarily functions to describe a noun, typically a person or group, exhibiting aggressive defiance and stubbornness. Ludwig and its AI confirm its descriptive role. Example from Ludwig: "The truculent masses to disagree with that message, they were changed—the masses, that is, not the pictures."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "truculent" is an adjective used to describe someone or something aggressively defiant and stubbornly resistant. With very common usage, as Ludwig shows, it appears most frequently in news and media, indicating its relevance in describing contentious political and social situations. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, highlighting its effective communication of a negative, defiant attitude. To best employ "truculent", focus on situations where stubborn resistance amplifies the aggression. Avoid using it as a mere synonym for "angry", as that may miss its specific nuance of defiant obstinacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belligerent

Focuses specifically on a warlike or hostile attitude.

defiant

Emphasizes resistance or opposition to authority.

aggressive

Indicates a forceful and sometimes hostile approach.

antagonistic

Suggests active hostility or opposition.

combative

Highlights a readiness to fight or argue.

obstinate

Focuses on stubbornness and refusal to change one's mind.

uncooperative

Indicates a lack of willingness to work with others.

argumentative

Highlights a tendency to argue or debate.

confrontational

Suggests a direct and often aggressive approach in dealing with conflict.

pugnacious

Indicates a natural disposition to fight or be aggressive.

FAQs

How can I use "truculent" in a sentence?

You can use "truculent" to describe someone displaying aggressive defiance. For example, "The "truculent" negotiator refused to compromise, leading to a breakdown in talks."

What words are similar to "truculent"?

Similar words include "belligerent", "defiant", and "aggressive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "truculent" and "belligerent"?

"Truculent" implies a stubborn, defiant aggression, while "belligerent" more directly suggests a state of readiness or engagement in conflict. Truculence has an element of obstinacy.

Is "truculent" a formal or informal word?

"Truculent" is a relatively formal word, suitable for news reports, academic writing, and professional communication. It's less common in casual conversation.