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 One year later, after being combative and guarded in his rookie season, that armor appears to be coming off. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 Driscoll was widely seen as less combative and positioned himself as a driving force for modernizing the Army through updating its doctrine and integrating robots, drones and other emerging technologies into the force. — Luis Martinez, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 If Smith can’t reach that height, then the Alvarado and McConnell comparisons are more apt, and both of those two players are combative and successful defensive players. — Tony East, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 In settling, Meta reversed its previously combative approach to lawsuits alleging its products harmed children, Gadinis said. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative

Adjective

Andersen in particular has struggled with such an aggressive role, where recovery pace and stomping channel defending are required to keep the shape.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Brown has two catches that converted third downs into firsts, providing a release valve against some aggressive Seahawks blitzes.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

There are concerns that the Houthis' advance toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could have significant ramifications for energy markets and global trade, particularly if the militant group ratchets up threats or attacks on Red Sea shipping.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003, accused of developing and directing the 9/11 attacks, as a leader of the Islamic militant group Al Qaeda.

— Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

Terrorism wasn’t a completely foreign concept, but the notion of a hostile, coordinated attack on our soil, at that scale, seemed like something that might only happen in a Tom Clancy novel or a summer blockbuster movie.

— Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Now, civil engineer Jishen Qiu and his team wondered if engineers could exploit Mars’s hostile climate, rather than fighting the planet’s extremely low temperature.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

The union planned to conclude a contentious bargaining period with Stellantis on Friday.

— Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026
When the parents are suspected of child abuse, Norway's powerful child protection services gets involved and takes the five kids away, including a baby, and kicks off a long and contentious legal process that takes a toll on Mihai and Lisbet.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of combative

adjective

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