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
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, 25 Jan. 2026
His taste in cable-news hosts (male ones, that is) ran toward confrontational populists like Bill O’Reilly, who was then Fox’s biggest star.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
The message resonated uneasily in Europe, where leaders have spent the past year struggling to navigate a more transactional and confrontational Washington.
—Nik Popli, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Some need help understanding that conversations with professors, supervisors or older adults aren’t confrontational by default.
—Ryan Gable, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Interrupting shutdown does not mean becoming confrontational or expressive in ways that feel unnatural.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
On a new 20th anniversary reissue, the album sounds as idiosyncratic (and as metal) as ever, and Warning’s confrontational vulnerability feels ahead of its time.
—Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 17 Jan. 2026
Scrutiny of confrontational enforcement tactics has intensified, especially after the fatal shooting of Renee Good in her vehicle during an ICE operation in Minneapolis.
—Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 17 Jan. 2026
But others are pushing a more confrontational approach.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 25 Jan. 2026
His taste in cable-news hosts (male ones, that is) ran toward confrontational populists like Bill O’Reilly, who was then Fox’s biggest star.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
The message resonated uneasily in Europe, where leaders have spent the past year struggling to navigate a more transactional and confrontational Washington.
—Nik Popli, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Some need help understanding that conversations with professors, supervisors or older adults aren’t confrontational by default.
—Ryan Gable, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Interrupting shutdown does not mean becoming confrontational or expressive in ways that feel unnatural.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
On a new 20th anniversary reissue, the album sounds as idiosyncratic (and as metal) as ever, and Warning’s confrontational vulnerability feels ahead of its time.
—Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 17 Jan. 2026
Scrutiny of confrontational enforcement tactics has intensified, especially after the fatal shooting of Renee Good in her vehicle during an ICE operation in Minneapolis.
—Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 17 Jan. 2026
But others are pushing a more confrontational approach.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontational
Adjective
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Some of the city's narrow streets fell victim to the aggressive snow totals, leaving residents with little wiggle room to get around it.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The agency’s aggressive tactics this past year – especially when agents make their presence known in public areas in or near an employer, such as a parking lot – have had a chilling effect on businesses in areas where ICE has been operating.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Israel and the Lebanese militant group exchanged fire for over a year before reaching a ceasefire in November 2024.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Iran has been plagued for years by staggering hyperinflation, fueled by Western sanctions imposed over the hardline clerical government's nuclear program and backing for militant groups across the region.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His 134 men were armed with musket, cartridge pouch, and sword in case of a hostile encounter, and the Africaansche Galey lay close by with a couple of small cannon brought forward on the bow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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The broader goal, Rubio said, is a prosperous Venezuela aligned with the United States and no longer serving as a hub for hostile foreign powers.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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By advancing to phase two, the United States and mediator partners Egypt and Qatar must confront the more contentious issue of Hamas disarmament, which the group has long rejected.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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Building a Better California is expected to back statewide ballot measures and legislation that would boost housing construction and streamline approvals, positioning Brin as a major player in one of California’s most contentious policy fights.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Bovino, 55, has been the face of the Minneapolis ICE operation in recent weeks, which has seen the shooting deaths of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti and 37-year-old mother of three Renee Good by federal agents — as well as the combative protests that followed.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
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The final minutes of an enthralling, combative contest were played out in relative serenity.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Corigliano’s symphony is assaultive in style and confrontational in intent.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confrontational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontational. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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