as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combative
His combative behavior allegedly continued on the shore, where he was subdued by police and taken into custody.
—
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
Former associates in Connecticut said Merriam is known for her quick temper and combative nature.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
The match between motorists and surrounding streets, well, that traffic mess could be as combative.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Authorities say Smith attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect became combative.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
Former associates in Connecticut said Merriam is known for her quick temper and combative nature.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
The match between motorists and surrounding streets, well, that traffic mess could be as combative.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Authorities say Smith attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect became combative.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
Adjective
-
That’s the kind of chance that last season, a more aggressive-looking Stolarz would have used his frame — and frankly, his big-game presence — to turn away with ease.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The agency has also faced criticism for aggressive tactics used by ICE agents in executing the president’s immigration policy.—
Andy Rose 19 hr ago,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Israel and the Lebanese militant group exchanged fire for over a year before reaching a ceasefire in November 2024.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Iran has been plagued for years by staggering hyperinflation, fueled by Western sanctions imposed over the hardline clerical government's nuclear program and backing for militant groups across the region.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Skepticism came easily to Trump, who had long been hostile to mainstream foreign policy.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The helicopter the pilot was flying — a heavy, twin-rotor MH-47 Chinook — was struck by hostile fire during the operation.—
January 9,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This sparked a contentious debate about whether our species originally emerged outside of Africa, before returning there.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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His resignation comes after last month's trial in which inflammatory texts Phelps sent during contentious revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Any American traveling abroad right now should prepare to have confrontational conversations, Hernandez says.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
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This year’s furry green villain is more funny than scary, his behavior unthreatening, his confrontational manner with the Whos never feeling particularly dangerous.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
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
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Corigliano’s symphony is assaultive in style and confrontational in intent.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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