combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈba-tiv 

: marked by eagerness to fight or contend

combatively adverb

combativeness noun

Synonyms

• aggressive
• agonistic
• argumentative
• assaultive
• bellicose
• belligerent
• brawly
• chippy
• confrontational
• contentious
• discordant
• disputatious
• feisty
• gladiatorial
• militant
• pugnacious
• quarrelsome
• scrappy
• truculent
• warlike

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

Despite this, the sport has a cultural history, especially among those who appreciate the aesthetic and combative qualities of the fish. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025

Its combative response is a blunt sign of the administration’s intention to double down and defy the courts. —Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Trump's rally just outside Detroit — his largest political event since returning to the White House — largely sidestepped two major issues that have shaken Michigan: the economic fallout from his aggressive trade tariffs and his combative stance toward neighboring Canada. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

Some past inspectors general have faced accusations of being too combative — or too cozy — with department leadership. —Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈbat-iv 

: eager to fight : pugnacious

combativeness noun