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

The occupants, later identified as Thomas Searcy, 29, of Boston, and Charles Phillips, 38, of Jamaica Plain, were combative, initially refusing to lower the vehicle’s windows. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026

If someone tends to have more of a combative communication style, they might have been raised to see bluntness as just telling the truth. —Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026

Your 7th House of Partnership heats up as combative Mars enters, raising the volume on agreements and close bonds that need clearer give-and-take. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026

Once elected, Nichols led a drive to affiliate her union with the Teamsters — a linkage that brought a more combative approach as well as higher dues. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 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