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
On the witness stand, the teenager was reportedly combative and flustered by Jackson’s attorney Tom Mesereau, who attempted to poke holes in Gavin’s testimony and allegedly screamed at the boy throughout.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The Board of Supervisors’ May 19 meeting turned combative as Wagner and Nguyen accused Foley of directing county staff to halt herbicide spraying in local creeks across the county without seeking board approval first.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Outside of these combative qualities, Brown is a creative presence and typically operates in advanced areas.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Manila’s Teodoro struck the most combative tone, saying that China expansionism continues unabated.
—Lim Hui Jie,joanna Ossinger, CNBC, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The Board of Supervisors’ May 19 meeting turned combative as Wagner and Nguyen accused Foley of directing county staff to halt herbicide spraying in local creeks across the county without seeking board approval first.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Outside of these combative qualities, Brown is a creative presence and typically operates in advanced areas.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Manila’s Teodoro struck the most combative tone, saying that China expansionism continues unabated.
—Lim Hui Jie,joanna Ossinger, CNBC, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
Adjective
-
That was a fun one, with both teams staying aggressive throughout the match.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
That more aggressive posture has been exemplified in Lewis George's smaller jousts with the mayor over housing and public safety policies, too.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Trump’s birthday began with a new round of Israeli military strikes in Beirut, which the country said was in response to projectiles fired by the militant group Hezbollah at Israel.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
Israel’s military said the militant group launched three projectiles, releasing video in which an audible boom was followed by rising smoke.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
Many Christians seek to keep a hostile world at bay by discouraging inquiry and critical thinking, by empowering theological enforcers, and by drawing narrow doctrinal boundaries.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
While some states would be hostile to public university athletes attempts to gain employment recognition, others might be more welcoming.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Striking a balance between releasing children to vetted sponsors and shielding them from danger has proved a contentious partisan disagreement.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Striking a balance to release children to vetted sponsors and shielding them from danger has proved a contentious partisan disagreement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
De la Espriella has promised to cancel the talks and take a more confrontational approach to rebel groups that includes using airplanes to spray coca fields with herbicides.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
-
Much like life across Africa, the exhibition was layered, textured, richly sensual, and at times confrontational.—
Thomas Rom,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
