COMBATIVE Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

combative

adjective

kəm-ˈba-tiv

Definition of combative

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports

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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 The former state representative and senator from west-central Missouri took office as secretary of state in January 2025 and brought a more combative approach to overseeing elections and ballot measures. — Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2026 No other details were provided, and since that announcement, the CAC and its membership have found themselves on opposite sides of an increasingly combative divide. — Adam B. Vary, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026 With the moon in Libra, partnerships take center stage today, and the mood is cooperative rather than combative. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Oct. 2026 The shocks had a profound impact on Army employees who played the role of combative prisoners during the exercise, which took place at the military prison at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas in October 2024. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative

Adjective

Bam Adebayo wasn’t aggressive enough on the offensive side of the ball, which has been a consistent story line of his nine-year NBA career.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
On a network like this, rule-breaking often isn’t aggressive at all.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, while Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the militant Islamic State group.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Labor lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, while Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the militant Islamic State group.

— Rod McGuirk, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

About 70% of the members of Brazil’s lower house and 80% of the Senate are considered to be hostile to environmental and climate agendas, according to the observatory.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
In a turnabout from Orbán’s hostile approach to Kyiv, Magyar’s government has expressed solidarity with Ukraine and designated Russia a national security threat.

— Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

But there are uncertainties ahead, including MLB labor negotiations, which will address the contentious question of a player salary cap and could result in a prolonged work stoppage in 2027.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
But the series then gets to know people in depth, allowing for far more nuance than the contentious school board meetings.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of contentious

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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“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of combative

adjective

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