as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
the boxer was known more for his unbridled combativeness than for his technical skill
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combativeness
But there is a far more important influence Dobeš can have on this series than his combativeness, and that is his puckhandling.
—
Sean Gentille, New York Times, 23 May 2026
As a student at Dartmouth College, Dhillon doubled down on her political beliefs with a combativeness that foreshadowed her later commitment to MAGA.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
But Bondi decided the moment called for combativeness, not contrition.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Bessent’s combativeness is, in part, a sign of the times, said David Lublin, chair of the Department of Government at American University’s School of Public Affairs.
—Fatima Hussein, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
For Republicans, the primary has become a struggle over how to keep Texas red, with their party weighing steadiness, combativeness and reinvention in the post-Trump era.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr.
political, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
For those reading the tea leaves about the level of combativeness that next year’s talks could bring, some members of the strike-era leadership are back in 2026.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Republican politicians have canceled meetings or opted to hold them virtually in response to criticism and combativeness from voters, and some Democratic town halls have also been targeted.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Sean Gentille, New York Times, 23 May 2026
As a student at Dartmouth College, Dhillon doubled down on her political beliefs with a combativeness that foreshadowed her later commitment to MAGA.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
But Bondi decided the moment called for combativeness, not contrition.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Bessent’s combativeness is, in part, a sign of the times, said David Lublin, chair of the Department of Government at American University’s School of Public Affairs.
—Fatima Hussein, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
For Republicans, the primary has become a struggle over how to keep Texas red, with their party weighing steadiness, combativeness and reinvention in the post-Trump era.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr.
political, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
For those reading the tea leaves about the level of combativeness that next year’s talks could bring, some members of the strike-era leadership are back in 2026.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Republican politicians have canceled meetings or opted to hold them virtually in response to criticism and combativeness from voters, and some Democratic town halls have also been targeted.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combativeness
Noun
-
Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier forum for defense leaders, militaries and diplomats, said a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies is essential to deter aggression and preserve the balance of power.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
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Fudd started the second half with the Wings’ first bucket, her second 3-pointer of the game, and kept the aggression going, finishing the game with 9-of-15 shooting with three rebounds and two assists.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Cole took advantage of the Rays’ aggressiveness, ramping up his off-speed usage the second time through the order.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
-
While an immediate trade is unlikely, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has shown early aggressiveness before.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
The idea is that those first steps would create space for gradual deescalation and an effective cessation of hostilities.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
The concept, previously presented in European animation settings including Annecy, was pitched as a YA story about mental health, identity, online hostility and self-acceptance.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combativeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combativeness. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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