confrontational

Definition of confrontationalnext

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of confrontational But from coast to coast, confrontational progressives are advancing in mayoral races. Matt Brown, Fortune, 20 June 2026 But from coast to coast, confrontational progressives are advancing in mayoral races. ABC News, 19 June 2026 Beyond his infamously relentless rate of output (and all the frequent rebrandings and extracurricular pursuits he’s initiated along the way), Dwyer’s music is actually becoming more caustic and confrontational as time goes on. Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 18 June 2026 Much like life across Africa, the exhibition was layered, textured, richly sensual, and at times confrontational. Thomas Rom, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026 Let the friendship end naturally Assuming this is a mom friend without any ties to your family, the easiest, least confrontational method is to let the friendship fizzle out. Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 6 June 2026 But in every era of conflict, some well-meaning moderates have enabled bad-faith censors by conflating confrontational speech with the violence that sometimes answers it. Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026 Conversations that are not confrontational but still have players shielding their mouths from public view will continue to be permitted without penalty. Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026 Red card for covering mouth during a confrontation Any player who covers his mouth in a confrontational situation could receive a red card. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontational
Adjective
  • Grey-zone tactics refer to a range of aggressive tactics that vary from navy ship patrols to drone flights, but fall short of direct combat.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026
  • That will be decided in the coming hours, as the Heat remains in aggressive pursuit of a trade for Antetokounmpo.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • The interim deal is meant to stop fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon where Israeli forces are battling the militant Hezbollah group.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 June 2026
  • Despite an October ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas, the enclave has seen near-daily Israeli attacks that have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • The complaint alleges that school officials at Southern Hills Middle School failed to stop two years of antisemitic harassment against an eighth grader even after investigations concluded the student faced a hostile environment.
    Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • Create an internal incident map and begin tagging hostile actions according to the DISARM taxonomy.
    Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Republicans decry fraud while Democrats worry about hunger SNAP’s new rules remain contentious in Congress.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • This has proven to be a contentious change for myriad reasons.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Beliefs bump against reality as the emotional Moon activates your 9th House of Learning, quincunx combative Mars in your 4th House of Home.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2026
  • The responding officer recognized Poirier from his professional fighting career and requested backup because of what the report described as his combative behavior.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 7 June 2026
  • Unlawful activity including blocking roads, intentionally creating hazards and assaultive behavior will not be tolerated.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confrontational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontational. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster