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 The producers then sued Wilson for defamation in 2024, according to documents made available by The Hollywood Reporter, and detailed a combative relationship between them and Wilson. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026 The defending champions managed to hold Spain to a draw in the regulation 90 minutes, which ended with combative midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a reckless challenge in injury time. — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 20 July 2026 Norton said her mother was kind and pleasant and never combative. — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026 The moody Moon in your 4th House of Home squares combative Mars in your 1st House of Identity, stirring tension between private emotions and personal pride. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for combative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative

Adjective

The fire department said firefighters quickly went into defensive mode because the flames were so aggressive.

— Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Starting the playoffs in the wild-card round reduces the World Series odds that Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has repeatedly cited as a factor in how aggressive a front office should be at the trade deadline.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

The militant group Hamas has reached an agreement with the Board of Peace – tasked with implementing a long term ceasefire plan in Gaza – to relinquish its weapons, a senior official told CNN on Friday.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Some Israeli strikes and militant attacks have continued since then.

— Emma Nicholson, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

The extraordinary allegation offers a window into the waning days of an increasingly hostile primary race to replace Kelly, who has enjoyed broad popularity throughout her eight years in office.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
The company has faced workplace and labor complaints, including allegations of racial discrimination and hostile conditions in warehouses.

— Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

In Cairo, two Egyptian sources said Hamas had agreed to several contentious points, including the handover of weapons, but had requested changes regarding the definition of the infrastructure to be dismantled, adding more talks were underway.

— Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026
With tariffs pushing up prices of goods and energy markets swinging on geopolitical news, the Federal Reserve’s policymaking committee concluded its July 2026 meeting with a contentious 9-3 vote to hold interest rates steady.

— Brandy Hadley, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Definition of contentious

Adjective

While advocates and civil rights activists accused the department of mistreating immigrants under his leadership, Mullin’s less confrontational approach seemed to keep the department out of the spotlight.

— Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Smith had a somewhat confrontational exchange with the two women in the back of his police cruiser that day.

— Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of confrontational

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

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 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of combative

adjective

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