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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Recent Examples of combativeness
In a derby that former Manchester United captain Roy Keane bemoaned for the lack of combativeness and local representation, Khusanov played like a kid from Stockport finally getting to live out his dream of flattening everyone in a red jersey.
—
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 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
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 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
-
Wall Street holds near record highs in a government-data blackout , with enough rotational energy toward left-behind groups, refreshed confidence in the AI spending frenzy, certainty of a Fed rate cut this month and speculative aggression in lower-quality longshots to keep the indexes aloft.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
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The President's aggression is forcing every school district, city, and the state to do more to protect our rights and our students.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Dedich has started the last three games for the Rams and has shown his aggressiveness in the running game but allowed eight pressures in three weeks.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
29 Sep. 2025
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This can lead to rapid mood swings, difficulty controlling emotions, aggressiveness, and outbursts.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The monthlong celebration comes at a crucial time, as transgender youths continue to face mounting legislative attacks and social hostility nationwide.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Police officers eventually began to line tee boxes as the weekend progressed, though that also did not assuage the hostility.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combativeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combativeness. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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