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combative

adjective

kəm-ˈba-tiv How to pronounce combative (audio)
Definition of combativenext
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Suno, which has had a highly combative relationship with the music industry in recent years. — Jem Aswad, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
  1. aggressive
  2. militant
  3. hostile
  4. contentious
  5. confrontational
  6. assaultive
Adjective
  • The customized coupe features a T-top roof, aggressive aero body kit, and a graphics package that could have appeared in the original The Fast and the Furious.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
  • At 5-10, 198 pounds, Parrish mostly played nickel corner in Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme and shined as a rookie.
    — PJ Green September 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • The conflicting statements came just days after Pakistani fighter jets struck sites in eastern Afghanistan that Islamabad said were militant hideouts, an escalation between Kabul and Islamabad that threatens mediation efforts by regional powers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Pakistan often accuses Kabul of sheltering the TTP and turning a blind eye to cross-border militant attacks.
    — Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • The lawsuit is one of at least 13 cases filed in 2026 by current and former Independence Police Department officers alleging hostile work environments and dysfunction within the department.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Chambliss aims to join them while avoiding a long list of talented signal callers who fell apart in one of the sport’s most-hostile environments.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Pitt is 10 years removed from his contentious divorce from Angelina Jolie, who filed for divorce in 2016.
    — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The Tarrant County judge race between incumbent Republican Tim O’Hare and Democratic commissioner Alisa Simmons has been contentious.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • Her work combined British tailoring and historical references with deliberately confrontational elements, enthusiasts say.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • This may or may not be confrontational, but you could be suddenly held accountable for your words.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of confrontational
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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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