combative
adjective
com·bat·ive
kəm-ˈba-tiv 
: marked by eagerness to fight or contend
combatively
adverb
combativeness
noun
Examples of combative in a Sentence
When the police tried to arrest him, he became combative.
channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports
Recent Examples on the Web
Installed throughout Wembley Park–including along Olympic Way and outside Wembley Stadium–the exhibition provides a rare glimpse into the early relationship between the famously combative siblings who powered Oasis to global stardom.
—
Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Jorge became combative and tried to get police to leave the apartment, but she was taken into custody.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 25 July 2025
The report says McNeil immediately became verbally combative, refused to exit, provide ID, or listen to the stop’s explanation, locked the door, and ignored several warnings before the window was broken.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 22 July 2025
Even when Gordon’s songs don’t make narrative sense, they are underpinned by feelings of dread, longing, and frustration; some of them are nearly combative.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
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Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Jorge became combative and tried to get police to leave the apartment, but she was taken into custody.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 25 July 2025
The report says McNeil immediately became verbally combative, refused to exit, provide ID, or listen to the stop’s explanation, locked the door, and ignored several warnings before the window was broken.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 22 July 2025
Even when Gordon’s songs don’t make narrative sense, they are underpinned by feelings of dread, longing, and frustration; some of them are nearly combative.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combative. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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