Truculent    (pronounced truk-yuh-lunt) adjective


Definition

1. harsh, bitterly scathing, or caustic (as in one's spoken or written comments).    2. ever ready to argue, fight, or be defiant; brash, belligerent, or pugnacious; aggressively antagonistic.

Other Forms

Truculence   (pronounced truk-yuh-luns) noun

Main Example

  • Last month, at a gathering of the nations' governors, Education Secretary Rod Paige described the NEA, a teachers' union which fiercely opposes some of his ideas, as "a terrorist organization." (Paige later apologized, saying it was a bad joke.) And, as you may have noticed, some talk radio hosts are already calling those espousing an opposite viewpoint "terrorists." Indeed, the word "terrorist" is quickly entering the standard American vocabulary for truculent speech or expression.

    Workplace Examples

  • I agree that the guys in customer support are entirely to blame for the loss of our biggest account. But still, it's not a good idea to write them such an angry and truculent e-mail. It'll only create lasting bitterness. There are better ways to make them realize their incompetence and the need to shape up.

    Learn to Disarm and Neutralize your Critics and Detractors.

  • Guess why I'll be celebrating on November 2--election day--regardless of who wins. Because it will mark the end of this extremely negative and truculent campaign which the two presidential candidates will have subjected us to for over eight months!

    Other Examples

  • a manager who becomes defensive and even truculent the moment anyone criticizes his organization; a driver's truculent attitude towards a police officer after being pulled over

  • some television shows, such as CNN's "Crossfire" and PBS's "McLaughlin Group," thriving on real or feigned truculence

  • tennis ace John McEnroe, who was given to frequent outbursts on the court, still remembered for his truculent criticism of the umpires

  • the frequently truculent exchanges between the U.S. and North Korea; the ready truculence that India and Pakistan have traditionally exhibited towards each other suddenly vanishing as the two neighbors attempt lasting peace

    © 2004 V.J. Singal

    This Month's Other Words

    Vortex
    Tin Ear
    Truculent
    Engender
    Bulwark
    Vacuous
    Pernicious
    Circumscribe

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