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
Unlike the confrontational drudgery of couples therapy — and aiming to avoid the confrontational finality of divorce — this approach relies on subterfuge.
—
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
While that might sound confrontational, the 12-track project is also the most vulnerable work she’s done.
—Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Keep it calm and curious, not confrontational.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Corigliano’s symphony is assaultive in style and confrontational in intent.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
In August, Kelley was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors — one for electronic communications harassment and two for electronic disclosure of personal identifying information — following days of apparent confrontational social media posts allegedly doxxing her friends and family members.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
So far, the Kremlin’s reaction to the accords has been cool and dismissive rather than openly confrontational.
—Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
Despite his confrontational reputation, Biglari notably avoids media coverage and has not in recent years participated in interviews.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
But Rejection does not hide behind the ironic, the provocative, the self-consciously confrontational.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
While that might sound confrontational, the 12-track project is also the most vulnerable work she’s done.
—Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Keep it calm and curious, not confrontational.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Corigliano’s symphony is assaultive in style and confrontational in intent.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
In August, Kelley was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors — one for electronic communications harassment and two for electronic disclosure of personal identifying information — following days of apparent confrontational social media posts allegedly doxxing her friends and family members.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
So far, the Kremlin’s reaction to the accords has been cool and dismissive rather than openly confrontational.
—Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
Despite his confrontational reputation, Biglari notably avoids media coverage and has not in recent years participated in interviews.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
But Rejection does not hide behind the ironic, the provocative, the self-consciously confrontational.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontational
Adjective
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The Dallas Cowboys and team owner Jerry Jones have been very interested in the idea of getting aggressive ahead of the upcoming NFL trade deadline.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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Unlike their alligator cousins, which are known to occasionally attack people, American crocodiles are shyer and less aggressive.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In the militant revanche of the late Putin era, men are men, women are women, and the men are in charge.—
Julia Ioffe,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Pakistan has long accused Kabul of harboring the Pakistani Taliban militant group (known as the TTP), which its Afghan namesake denies.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The mob of rioters grew more hostile and violent, advancing toward agents and began throwing rocks and other objects at agents, including one that struck Chief Greg Bovino in the head.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Afghan refugees like him await their asylum decisions in an increasingly hostile climate marked by ICE raids and deportations.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The close, caring but contentious relationships among the three Williams women constitute some of the new season’s greatest pleasures.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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The filibuster remains a contentious fixture, shaping negotiations and highlighting deep divisions in Congress.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In contrast to Newsom, Lurie has taken a far less combative approach to Trump since taking office in January.—
Kate Rogers,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
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The slips added a subtle layer of tension to an already combative night.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Corigliano’s symphony is assaultive in style and confrontational in intent.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
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But attorney Gabi Silver, who previously represented one of the men in the original case before Hartig, said the judge made the appropriate call for a low-level, non-assaultive felony case against a client with no prior criminal record.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confrontational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontational. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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