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

Midway through her second edition at the helm of the Berlinale, the combative festival director wastes no time addressing the political storm that flared on opening day and quickly threatened to eclipse the films themselves. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026

Massie criticized Bondi's combative testimony before the House Judiciary Committee regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files. —Terry Collins, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026

At last year's conference, Vice President JD Vance delivered a combative address that rattled European capitals and fueled fears of an accelerating trans-Atlantic split. —Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026

Attorney General Pam Bondi sparred with Democrats about her year-long tenure at the Department of Justice, in a combative, hours-long hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. —Elena Moore, NPR, 11 Feb. 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