as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
her confrontational, in-your-face manner doesn't help get legislation passed
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Recent Examples of confrontational
Journalism is often abrasive and confrontational.
—
Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Fierce in expression but controlled in form, the 1959 LP draws out a rootsy warmth from beneath the bebop that had consumed bandstands since World War II, forging a sound that feels at once confrontational, mischievous, and generous.
—Daniel Felsenthal, Pitchfork, 4 Apr. 2026
His brief tenure drew scrutiny over his lack of communications experience and a confrontational style that created tension inside the West Wing.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The rest of Ali’s confrontational art also reflects her background as a Muslim refugee from Cambodia.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 31 Mar. 2026
To some, the music of Irreversible Entanglements may seem confrontational.
—Steve Donofrio, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Administration officials have similarly framed her as a pragmatic counterpart willing to engage on energy, migration and security issues — a sharp contrast with the more confrontational posture associated with Maduro’s rule.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
During the major social upheavals of 2011 and 2019, students adopted a confrontational stance against the political and business elite to demand systemic reforms.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
That sense of freedom—of the gaze, of emotion, and of expression—is part of what made Farrokhzad the Iranian New Wave’s confrontational exemplar.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Fierce in expression but controlled in form, the 1959 LP draws out a rootsy warmth from beneath the bebop that had consumed bandstands since World War II, forging a sound that feels at once confrontational, mischievous, and generous.
—Daniel Felsenthal, Pitchfork, 4 Apr. 2026
His brief tenure drew scrutiny over his lack of communications experience and a confrontational style that created tension inside the West Wing.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The rest of Ali’s confrontational art also reflects her background as a Muslim refugee from Cambodia.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 31 Mar. 2026
To some, the music of Irreversible Entanglements may seem confrontational.
—Steve Donofrio, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Administration officials have similarly framed her as a pragmatic counterpart willing to engage on energy, migration and security issues — a sharp contrast with the more confrontational posture associated with Maduro’s rule.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
During the major social upheavals of 2011 and 2019, students adopted a confrontational stance against the political and business elite to demand systemic reforms.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
That sense of freedom—of the gaze, of emotion, and of expression—is part of what made Farrokhzad the Iranian New Wave’s confrontational exemplar.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontational
Adjective
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Orbán's nationalist party has become a model for MAGA populists, particularly for its aggressive stance on immigration.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Florian Wirtz was over aggressive in his initial press and then lacked urgency to help balance out City’s right-side overload, while neither Curtis Jones or Ryan Gravenberch drifted across.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the response to Alcock in many online corners has been as if the actress went on a militant feminist rant slamming all male fans and threw a massive pity party for herself.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But the regime shows no sign of unraveling, and the people who have replaced senior leaders are known as equally hard-line or arguably even more militant than their predecessors, according to Western officials and experts on Iran.—
Abigail Williams,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Callers told police that after a brief and seemingly hostile interaction with the occupants of the vehicle, the individual left school property and was last seen walking onto Ryan Lane from Edwards Avenue.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
From a technical standpoint, the stock appears to be stabilizing at support just as the macro backdrop becomes less hostile to large-cap technology.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
County commissioners passed a resolution in support of ICE during a contentious meeting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Israel’s deadly offensive against Hezbollah has been a contentious point in the uneasy Iran war ceasefire.—
Jennifer Hansler,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Your 7th House of Partnership heats up as combative Mars enters, raising the volume on agreements and close bonds that need clearer give-and-take.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Doss told detectives that the driver became combative during the tow.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Unlawful activity including blocking roads, intentionally creating hazards and assaultive behavior will not be tolerated.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Chief Judge James Boasberg ruled in two more surge cases involving Paul Nguyen and Nathalie Rose Jones, each accused of assaultive or threatening conduct during summer protests.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confrontational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontational. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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