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
During her speech, Paulson shared a bunch of text messages Keaton had sent her over the years, all of which were at once warm and acerbic, kind and a playfully combative.
—
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
In his brief time in the House, freshman Jewish Congressman Randy Fine has built a reputation for combative outbursts — particularly about Muslims.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Make an effort to steady yourself before replying any combative questions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
Trump, too, seemed to adopt a combative tone at today’s press conference — in his case, toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
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Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
In his brief time in the House, freshman Jewish Congressman Randy Fine has built a reputation for combative outbursts — particularly about Muslims.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Make an effort to steady yourself before replying any combative questions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
Trump, too, seemed to adopt a combative tone at today’s press conference — in his case, toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 3 Jan. 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 8 Jan. 2026.
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