combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈba-tiv How to pronounce combative (audio)
: 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
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.
When the Boston Police Department came across violent pro-Palestine supporters at the Boston Common, officers were not dressed in riot gear, and there was not enough manpower to handle the combative situation, according to the president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025 Watts pressed further, Porter grew visibly frustrated, and finally Porter accused Watts of being unnecessarily combative. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025 In the former, a careful, risk-averse approach saw Frank set up in a 3-5-2 system to thwart the creative threat from Luis Enrique’s side and congest central areas, with Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr an excellent, combative midfield trio. Mark Carey, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 The Russian president struck an unusually combative tone, issuing stark warnings of potential retaliation over Western support for Ukraine and NATO expansion. Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for combative

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of combative was in 1826

Cite this Entry

“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combative. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

combative

adjective
com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈbat-iv How to pronounce combative (audio)
: eager to fight : pugnacious
combativeness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on combative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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