bruiser
UK /bɹuːzə/ · US /bɹuzɚ/ noun
Forms bruisers
- noun (sports) In contact sports, an athlete whose size, strength, and/or aggressiveness make it likely that they will cause athletes on the opposing team to suffer physical punishment.
- noun (by extension, colloquial, derogatory) A tall, strong, heavily built person, usually a man, especially one prone to physical violence; a strong and tough person. “His "assistant" was a big bruiser named Pete, who, with his enormous shoulders and menacing scowl, was clearly present for the intimidation factor.”
- noun A machine for bruising oats.
- noun A person who enjoys arguing with others.
- noun A professional boxer.
Synonyms
Webster’s 1913
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “bruiser”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details