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
Next to Nina sat Bess Pfeiffer, who, in her typical, drunken, combative fashion, seemed determined to pick an argument with Sam or Finn, equally disinterested parties.
—
Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Your 12th House of Healing stirs as combative Mars squares radical Uranus in your 3rd House of Noise.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Facing pushback from France’s centrist and left-leaning cultural and media sectors, relations thawed for a time after Dati’s energy and determination won her grudging respect from some quarters amid hope that her combative style might be to culture’s benefit.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Trump led with affordability but his usual combative style also emerged.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Your 12th House of Healing stirs as combative Mars squares radical Uranus in your 3rd House of Noise.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Facing pushback from France’s centrist and left-leaning cultural and media sectors, relations thawed for a time after Dati’s energy and determination won her grudging respect from some quarters amid hope that her combative style might be to culture’s benefit.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Trump led with affordability but his usual combative style also emerged.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
Adjective
-
While their offer was aggressive, the deal wasn’t done in a numbers vacuum.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Slater had been particularly aggressive against Big Tech companies during her tenure.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Frontiers are already porous here, crossed by smuggling routes, refugee trails and militant hideouts.—
Mihir Sharma,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Among the most prominent Islamic militant groups are Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, known as Islamic State West Africa Province.—
Dyepkazah Shibayan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This time, the report suggests that Cosco’s ownership stake would vary by port and that some terminals in jurisdictions hostile to China could be carved out.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2026
-
While the industry has not in recent memory suffered a major disruption due to a hostile attack, smaller-scale DDoS attacks, as well as ransomware attacks, have disrupted pockets of the market.—
Reuters
Wire Service,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The dispute was resolved in June 2022 through a confidential settlement, bringing to a close one of the more public—and contentious—chapters of Luck’s executive career.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
As the war with Iran continues for a sixth day, evacuating Americans from the Middle East remains a contentious issue.—
Carolyn Gusoff,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mary, who was just finishing up undergrad at NYU herself, responded to a casting-call flyer Ron posted and slipped into the role with the confrontational zeal of a creative soul mate.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The clash mirrors a broader fight within the Democratic Party, as progressive candidates push for a more confrontational stance toward Israel’s government and more moderate lawmakers warn against alienating pro-Israel voters and donors.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Unlawful activity including blocking roads, intentionally creating hazards and assaultive behavior will not be tolerated.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Chief Judge James Boasberg ruled in two more surge cases involving Paul Nguyen and Nathalie Rose Jones, each accused of assaultive or threatening conduct during summer protests.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
