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
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
the boxer was known more for his unbridled combativeness than for his technical skill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combative
Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 29 Apr. 2025
The escalation signaled the start of a new, more combative phase in President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the nation’s colleges.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Despite this, the sport has a cultural history, especially among those who appreciate the aesthetic and combative qualities of the fish.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Its combative response is a blunt sign of the administration’s intention to double down and defy the courts.
—Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Adjective
Michigan has been especially rocked by his steep trade tariffs and combative attitude toward Canada.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 29 Apr. 2025
The escalation signaled the start of a new, more combative phase in President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the nation’s colleges.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Despite this, the sport has a cultural history, especially among those who appreciate the aesthetic and combative qualities of the fish.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Its combative response is a blunt sign of the administration’s intention to double down and defy the courts.
—Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
Adjective
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However, thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, including predator control programs, habitat restoration, and breeding initiatives, several kiwi species have seen rebounds.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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Even so, the aggressive play in this post-season has stood out.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
Noun
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The Russian president has unilaterally declared a three-day ceasefire over the course of the Victory Day celebrations, which will be a key propaganda event for the Kremlin in light of its aggression in Ukraine.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
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The early stages of the war revealed how a lack of preparedness left many nations vulnerable to aggression.—
Lt. General Leon Scott Rice,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the latest missile, but a spokesman for the militant group has said previous launches targeted military facilities in Israel.—
Tamar Michaelis,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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India may also take the stronger step of striking militant groups in Pakistan to satisfy the public’s demand for action.—
Michael Kugelman,
Time,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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And Marguerite did actually manage to live there for years, scraping together a life on the hostile tundra.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
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And this is a very hard-line government that has taken a kind of hostile view of everybody in the region.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Ultimately, restrictions on vacant CPS property sales are part of a broader problem, and that’s education officials’ open hostility toward alternative education models.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
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Then a decade of talks crashed into President Trump’s hostility toward Canada.—
Karen Weise,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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This is a flawed sin; trying to make something happen in a contentious area with a bunch of people who had their own history.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
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On contentious problems like TikTok’s status in America, Trump has already bucked political orthodoxy, delaying a ban repeatedly to convince China to allow its sale.—
J. Tedford Tyler,
Time,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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The record indicates that the instant offense has elements of brutality, violence, assaultive behavior or conscious selection of victim's vulnerability indicating a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
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The effect is assaultive but clever, jolting listeners’ reflexes and then toying with their attention.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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