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

Not, of course, if the intention of the query is to justify rudeness or to be combative. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2025

She’s often been described as aggressive, combative, and obsessed with power and settling scores. —Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 22 Nov. 2025

Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty Images Not everyone was a fan of the pair's combative approach. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

The disgraced outgoing mayor of New York City is a big personality in a position of power with numerous scandals and gaffes for Fumudoh to prod at in her signature affably combative style. —Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025

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