as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
her confrontational, in-your-face manner doesn't help get legislation passed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Conversely, maybe the fact that their songs, while impressively self-possessed, weren’t directly confrontational has kept them from being counted as forebears to the feminist punks who would come after.
—
Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 3 May 2026
As one of the genre’s most confrontational figures, Coe’s career didn’t come without a fair share of controversy.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
The political transition raised cautious expectations among regional observers that Caracas might adopt a less confrontational stance on longstanding disputes, including Essequibo.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Analysts say a more powerful IRGC likely would mean a more confrontational Iran, less willing to compromise in talks with Washington and more inclined to continue military escalation across the region.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
She was criticized on social media from the right and the left, for being both too woke and not confrontational enough.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Scolding carnivores everywhere on Meat is Murder’s provocative six-minute title track, Morrissey began his long career as pop music’s most confrontational vegetarian.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026
Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 3 May 2026
As one of the genre’s most confrontational figures, Coe’s career didn’t come without a fair share of controversy.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
The political transition raised cautious expectations among regional observers that Caracas might adopt a less confrontational stance on longstanding disputes, including Essequibo.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Analysts say a more powerful IRGC likely would mean a more confrontational Iran, less willing to compromise in talks with Washington and more inclined to continue military escalation across the region.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
She was criticized on social media from the right and the left, for being both too woke and not confrontational enough.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Scolding carnivores everywhere on Meat is Murder’s provocative six-minute title track, Morrissey began his long career as pop music’s most confrontational vegetarian.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontational
Adjective
-
Buxton knows the plan — a fighting retreat that saves ownership money but still gives the team the chance to regroup and compete for a division title with strong starting pitching and an aggressive, small-ball approach from a young, athletic lineup.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
-
Iran signaled an aggressive response to this latest bid to break its stranglehold over the strait, which has left global shipping at an effective standstill and sent energy prices spiraling.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Possibly this was the case at élite law schools in the nineteen-nineties, where even the most obdurate deans could not afford to ignore their militant students indefinitely.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Iraqi Kurds and Iraqi forces helped defeat the militant group in Iraq.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Being on the road and in a hostile environment is something that Ayton also is looking forward to.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
The race between Jones and Jackson has been incredibly hostile, with both releasing a myriad of attack ads and going after one another in debates.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
This comes after a federal appeals court's April 21 decision to uphold a contentious Texas law requiring public school districts to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, setting the stage for a potential Supreme Court fight.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Fiery moments from the governor’s debate Democratic frontrunners Xavier Becerra and billionaire Tom Steyer faced fierce attacks Wednesday during a contentious gubernatorial debate in Los Angeles.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cohen offered limited clarity on the structure during what at times was a combative and awkward interview, repeatedly directing viewers to the company's website for details.—
Yun Li,Anniek Bao,Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
-
Monday’s testimony was combative, raising ideas about what kind of tech industry wealth is truly deserved.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
4 May 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 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
