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
The Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs, Mercy Culture’s back yard, have been a key incubator for this combative version of Christianity.
—
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Information-gathering Mercury links with combative Mars in your 2nd House of Funds, encouraging fairness in all your accounting.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
The fact my wheelchair was barely noticed and pool hoists outnumbered sun loungers, in a world so often aggressively combative towards people who navigate the world differently, with all the physical and attitudinal barriers removed, a deep and uncommon calm settled over me.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
The former ambassador leaves the post after a turbulent, combative year at the arts institution.
—Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
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Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Information-gathering Mercury links with combative Mars in your 2nd House of Funds, encouraging fairness in all your accounting.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
The fact my wheelchair was barely noticed and pool hoists outnumbered sun loungers, in a world so often aggressively combative towards people who navigate the world differently, with all the physical and attitudinal barriers removed, a deep and uncommon calm settled over me.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
The former ambassador leaves the post after a turbulent, combative year at the arts institution.
—Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combative. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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