as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combative
On the witness stand, the teenager was reportedly combative and flustered by Jackson’s attorney Tom Mesereau, who attempted to poke holes in Gavin’s testimony and allegedly screamed at the boy throughout.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The Board of Supervisors’ May 19 meeting turned combative as Wagner and Nguyen accused Foley of directing county staff to halt herbicide spraying in local creeks across the county without seeking board approval first.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Outside of these combative qualities, Brown is a creative presence and typically operates in advanced areas.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Manila’s Teodoro struck the most combative tone, saying that China expansionism continues unabated.
—Lim Hui Jie,joanna Ossinger, CNBC, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The Board of Supervisors’ May 19 meeting turned combative as Wagner and Nguyen accused Foley of directing county staff to halt herbicide spraying in local creeks across the county without seeking board approval first.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Outside of these combative qualities, Brown is a creative presence and typically operates in advanced areas.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Manila’s Teodoro struck the most combative tone, saying that China expansionism continues unabated.
—Lim Hui Jie,joanna Ossinger, CNBC, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
Adjective
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That was a fun one, with both teams staying aggressive throughout the match.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
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The bounce off of Kamada may have been lucky, but Japan created its own luck with an aggressive second-half attack after Crysencio Summerville’s goal in the 64th minute put it in a deficit.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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The Israeli military struck targets in Beirut's suburbs on Sunday after the militant group Hezbollah launched projectiles toward Israel, Reuters reported.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
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Most of Gaza’s 2 million residents remain displaced amid devastation and severe shortages, as new Israeli strikes on crowded areas kill children and other civilians Israel labels militant targets.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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Will he ever be held accountable for his hostile behavior?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2026
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While some states would be hostile to public university athletes attempts to gain employment recognition, others might be more welcoming.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Striking a balance between releasing children to vetted sponsors and shielding them from danger has proved a contentious partisan disagreement.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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Striking a balance to release children to vetted sponsors and shielding them from danger has proved a contentious partisan disagreement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Much like life across Africa, the exhibition was layered, textured, richly sensual, and at times confrontational.—
Thomas Rom,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
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Let the friendship end naturally Assuming this is a mom friend without any ties to your family, the easiest, least confrontational method is to let the friendship fizzle out.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Chief Judge James Boasberg ruled in two more surge cases involving Paul Nguyen and Nathalie Rose Jones, each accused of assaultive or threatening conduct during summer protests.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Nov. 2025
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Corigliano’s symphony is assaultive in style and confrontational in intent.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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