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

Relevance

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 The producers then sued Wilson for defamation in 2024, according to documents made available by The Hollywood Reporter, and detailed a combative relationship between them and Wilson. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026 The defending champions managed to hold Spain to a draw in the regulation 90 minutes, which ended with combative midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a reckless challenge in injury time. — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 20 July 2026 Norton said her mother was kind and pleasant and never combative. — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026 The moody Moon in your 4th House of Home squares combative Mars in your 1st House of Identity, stirring tension between private emotions and personal pride. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 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
  • The fire department said firefighters quickly went into defensive mode because the flames were so aggressive.
    — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Starting the playoffs in the wild-card round reduces the World Series odds that Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has repeatedly cited as a factor in how aggressive a front office should be at the trade deadline.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • That militant arm of the Democratic Party kept Black voters from going to the polls, sometimes by violence, The Observer reported.
    — Chase Jordan July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • So far, the Houthis have been unable or unwilling to enforce the blockade that the militant group announced Tuesday.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • The extraordinary allegation offers a window into the waning days of an increasingly hostile primary race to replace Kelly, who has enjoyed broad popularity throughout her eight years in office.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The company has faced workplace and labor complaints, including allegations of racial discrimination and hostile conditions in warehouses.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • In the meantime, the deadly encounter has reignited a contentious debate about body cameras, one that has long vexed local officials and pitted some of the city’s progressive groups against each other.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
  • Now its rise is intensifying an already contentious race between the US and China to dominate cutting-edge AI.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • While advocates and civil rights activists accused the department of mistreating immigrants under his leadership, Mullin’s less confrontational approach seemed to keep the department out of the spotlight.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
  • Smith had a somewhat confrontational exchange with the two women in the back of his police cruiser that day.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of confrontational
Adjective
  • 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
  • Unlawful activity including blocking roads, intentionally creating hazards and assaultive behavior will not be tolerated.
    — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Definition of assaultive

Browse Nearby Words

combating
combative
combativeness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on combative

Nglish: Translation of combative for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All