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
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
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Neuroscience also reveals how collective memory and leadership dynamics can steer a society toward increasing aggression or maintaining peace.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
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Tyrer had the insidious condition caused by repetitive head trauma and known to cause aggression, mood swings, depression and paranoia.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Thursday, the Red Wings managed to play smart hockey without sacrificing their aggressiveness.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Yet despite the cancer's aggressiveness, its hormone-sensitive nature offers a viable treatment pathway, according to the National Cancer Institute.—
Molly Nagle,
ABC News,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Tel Aviv activists hold silent vigils mourning Gaza’s children, confronting public hostility with quiet resilience.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
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The end of hostilities could also revive deals like a joint venture between BP and Abu Dhabi’s national oil company, which had been paused during the war.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combativeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combativeness. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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