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
King favored a genial, non-confrontational style that critics derided as too easygoing and soft for a news network, but which made his program a natural stop for politicians and entertainers who wanted to make their views known without sparking overt conflict.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
The confrontational visit also comes as Pirro's name has repeatedly been floated as a potential permanent replacement for Pam Bondi as the next attorney general.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Dhillon, an Indian American immigrant who talks often about her Sikh faith, has long cultivated a brash, confrontational streak that has brought her to prominence within the Republican Party.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
His confrontational rhetoric toward allies and international organizations, along with his affinity for authoritarian leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, has also generated profound distrust.
—Sergio Munoz Bata, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Laughton’s trio was equal parts confrontational and productive while the fourth line provided a physical edge, including Samuel Helenius’ nasty hit on Brady Skjei.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
The confrontational visit also comes as Pirro's name has repeatedly been floated as a potential permanent replacement for Pam Bondi as the next attorney general.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Dhillon, an Indian American immigrant who talks often about her Sikh faith, has long cultivated a brash, confrontational streak that has brought her to prominence within the Republican Party.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
His confrontational rhetoric toward allies and international organizations, along with his affinity for authoritarian leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, has also generated profound distrust.
—Sergio Munoz Bata, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Laughton’s trio was equal parts confrontational and productive while the fourth line provided a physical edge, including Samuel Helenius’ nasty hit on Brady Skjei.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontational
Adjective
-
Paolo Banchero set the tone early with an aggressive, assertive first half that dictated the flow of the game.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Many were acquired between 2019 and 2022 at elevated valuations and financed with aggressive leverage, assumptions that are now being tested in a higher-rate environment.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Both President Emmanual Macron and the UNIFIL force blamed Hezbollah, but the militant group denied involvement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon against the militant group Hezbollah, who are close allies of Iran, has been a sticking point in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On Tuesday a civil jury concluded that Lodes resigned involuntarily due to his reporting of a hostile workplace and was awarded the multimillion-dollar payment as compensation for his emotional damages.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The lawsuit claims Mavromatis experienced retaliatory consequences for raising concerns about the harassment and hostile work environment.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Already the jobs issue in Hollywood has become a contentious part of the race for governor in California, with several candidates pledging to eliminate the $750 million cap put in place by Newsom, which already was more than double what the state was previously capped at.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
23 Apr. 2026
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The Kelly Tractor project is contentious enough that Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in February vetoed the commission’s approval of the plan.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If someone tends to have more of a combative communication style, they might have been raised to see bluntness as just telling the truth.—
Nancy Pulciano,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2026
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Recently, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services issued an order that Tewksbury Hospital security officers will no longer carry or use non-lethal and defensive tactical equipment like pepper gel, batons and handcuffs to subdue violent and combative patients.—
Rick Pozniak,
Boston Herald,
14 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 26 Apr. 2026.
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