as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports
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Recent Examples of combative
Poilievre, a career politician, has carved out a combative conservative brand that has sparked comparisons to Trump.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
The president’s softer tone towards China, despite no formal talks, was in stark contrast to his more combative rhetoric earlier in April.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
Over the chaotic weekend that follows, people-pleaser Edward must juggle his burgeoning career plans with the care of four eccentric, combative, and wildly different ladies — none of whom really get along with any of the others.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
Promoted from League One last May, the Rams were combative against promotion candidates.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
The president’s softer tone towards China, despite no formal talks, was in stark contrast to his more combative rhetoric earlier in April.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
Over the chaotic weekend that follows, people-pleaser Edward must juggle his burgeoning career plans with the care of four eccentric, combative, and wildly different ladies — none of whom really get along with any of the others.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
Promoted from League One last May, the Rams were combative against promotion candidates.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
Adjective
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However, thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, including predator control programs, habitat restoration, and breeding initiatives, several kiwi species have seen rebounds.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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Even so, the aggressive play in this post-season has stood out.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the latest missile, but a spokesman for the militant group has said previous launches targeted military facilities in Israel.—
Tamar Michaelis,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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India may also take the stronger step of striking militant groups in Pakistan to satisfy the public’s demand for action.—
Michael Kugelman,
Time,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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And Marguerite did actually manage to live there for years, scraping together a life on the hostile tundra.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
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And this is a very hard-line government that has taken a kind of hostile view of everybody in the region.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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In January, after Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni entered into a public and contentious legal battle, clips resurfaced online of Meester and Lively.—
Amy Kaufman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
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Crawford says the meetings were contentious, but Ekard was always cordial yet firm.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 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 21 May. 2025.
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