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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combativeness
Noun
-
Kyiv fears that Moscow could use that territory as a launchpad for further aggression.—
Volodymyr Yurchuk,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Unfortunately, the quality of the program was low and resulted in rising aggression and behavior issues among children, especially boys, and hurt parental relationships.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And though some executives have noted his methodical approach can be difficult when making deals, others have praised his overall aggressiveness.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Still, Bridges insists aggressiveness is not the issue.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Traders have been worried over the hostilities in the Middle East.—
Jeff Cox,Sean Conlon,Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The administration's hostility toward renewables is having an effect.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combativeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combativeness. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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