as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combative
Instead, the parties have yet to even reach an agreement for the contract that expired in 2022, and the union is taking a more publicly combative tone ahead of arbitration.
—
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
Jorge became combative and tried to get police to leave the apartment, but she was taken into custody.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 26 July 2025
However, the studio’s latest statement, issued July 24, takes a more combative tone, directly attacking Rai’s credibility and motives.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 July 2025
Installed throughout Wembley Park–including along Olympic Way and outside Wembley Stadium–the exhibition provides a rare glimpse into the early relationship between the famously combative siblings who powered Oasis to global stardom.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
Jorge became combative and tried to get police to leave the apartment, but she was taken into custody.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 26 July 2025
However, the studio’s latest statement, issued July 24, takes a more combative tone, directly attacking Rai’s credibility and motives.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 July 2025
Installed throughout Wembley Park–including along Olympic Way and outside Wembley Stadium–the exhibition provides a rare glimpse into the early relationship between the famously combative siblings who powered Oasis to global stardom.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
Adjective
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Poor oral hygiene allows plaque bacteria to produce acids that contribute to decay, while aggressive brushing can physically wear away the enamel surface.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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The former Calle 13 member impresses her sensitivity to this piece, originally written by Orlando Brito and popularized in 1975 by the great Héctor Lavoe, giving it new life with her powerful, dramatic voice, accompanied by street guitars and harsh, aggressive chords that captivate the listener.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Palestinian militant group also abducted more than 250 hostages.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
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Now, that was never actually true, and certainly on January 6th, when a lot of the members of these militant groups went to the Capitol and attacked police officers, injuring more than 100 of them, their love for law enforcement was not genuine.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This breach demonstrates that hostile players can target individuals within organizations, not just organizations themselves.—
Phillimon Zongo,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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That information enables commanders to launch defensive or offensive strikes in seconds, whether intercepting an incoming cruise missile, engaging hostile aircraft, or directing Tomahawk missiles at land targets hundreds of miles away.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Bengals fans are familiar with these kinds of contentious negotiations involving a star player.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Footage recently surfaced from a wild brawl that took place on a Carnival Cruise ship, but the origin is contentious.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The record indicates that the instant offense has elements of brutality, violence, assaultive behavior or conscious selection of victim's vulnerability indicating a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
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The effect is assaultive but clever, jolting listeners’ reflexes and then toying with their attention.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
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