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 attack came hours after Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a combative and politically charged Senate hearing, directly accused Blumenthal of lying about his military record.
—
Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
The slips added a subtle layer of tension to an already combative night.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Soon, her life begins to spiral as Alma desperately tries to keep one of her own secrets hidden and her relationship with Maggie turns combative.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
The defense said Nail was protecting himself from a combative detainee.
—Cameron MacDonald, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
The slips added a subtle layer of tension to an already combative night.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Soon, her life begins to spiral as Alma desperately tries to keep one of her own secrets hidden and her relationship with Maggie turns combative.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
The defense said Nail was protecting himself from a combative detainee.
—Cameron MacDonald, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share