combative

adjective

kəm-ˈba-tiv How to pronounce combative (audio)
Definition of combativenext
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of combative Whitehouse, who once challenged Durbin for the position, is known for his more combative tone and progressive bent. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026 That newfound freedom sometimes revealed a more combative side. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026 The platform still plays that game, though even there the tone has become somewhat combative, as one creator notes to THR. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 Addressing this head-on, in the moment, could come across as combative. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
  1. aggressive
  2. militant
  3. hostile
  4. contentious
  5. confrontational
  6. assaultive
Adjective
  • Environmentalists flex considerable muscle in the state and found an ally in Newsom, though the outgoing governor’s aggressive climate agenda ran into affordability and federal challenges in recent years.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • And definitely the lyrics are a lot more aggressive from Roger.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Tensions between Israel and militant group Hezbollah ratcheted up in 2023 when the latter intensified attacks along Israel’s northern border in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks on the south of the country.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups regularly target anti-polio drives and police protecting health workers, falsely claiming that polio vaccination campaigns are part of a Western conspiracy to sterilize children.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • The Navy's Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen, known as SWCCs, are elite maritime operators training to operate high-speed, heavily armed boats that transport Navy SEALs into and out of hostile territory, along with other maritime missions.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Even as crime drops and car crashes recede, New York’s streets and parks have grown increasingly hostile to those who are frail, slow, disabled, or small.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Another particularly contentious ad released last month featured two local politicians calling on Vang to be fired.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The more contentious scenario would be akin to 1976, when Republicans filibustered until a new election was held for a Senate seat in New Hampshire.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • The sibling who brought this to our attention isn’t comfortable bringing it up directly (our family is deeply non-confrontational and private but loving and connected).
    — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Bitterman has tried to play nice, hosting ongoing quarterly town hall meetings to keep locals abreast of the project and receive feedback from them, but the meetings are inevitably confrontational.
    — Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of confrontational
Adjective
  • The use of force is allowed under certain conditions, according to the personnel board’s order, including when an inmate could be assaultive or hurt themselves — which led Green to dismiss CDCR’s allegation against the officer.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
  • As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 7 June 2026
Definition of assaultive

Browse Nearby Words

combating
combative
combativeness
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Cite this Entry

“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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