combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈba-tiv 

: marked by eagerness to fight or contend

combatively adverb

combativeness noun

Synonyms of combative

• aggressive
• militant
• hostile
• contentious
• confrontational
• assaultive

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

DeLuz noticed the Democrats becoming more combative, taking shots at Becerra during the last two debates as the former state attorney general is now considered the party's frontrunner. —Terry Collins, USA Today, 14 May 2026

Clark appears to have had a combative dynamic with referees since the beginning of her professional career. —Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026

In the other video, Porter was being unnecessarily combative with a reporter who was asking normal follow up questions until Porter ended the interview in annoyance. —Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 14 May 2026

Fernandez was combative when asked if there was any long-term concern about the injury. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2026

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