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
Administration officials have similarly framed her as a pragmatic counterpart willing to engage on energy, migration and security issues — a sharp contrast with the more confrontational posture associated with Maduro’s rule.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
During the major social upheavals of 2011 and 2019, students adopted a confrontational stance against the political and business elite to demand systemic reforms.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
That sense of freedom—of the gaze, of emotion, and of expression—is part of what made Farrokhzad the Iranian New Wave’s confrontational exemplar.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
The result is a boundary-pushing and confrontational experience that expands both the possibilities of VR and our understanding of how intimate stories can be shared and experienced.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
The former mixed martial arts fighter vowed to take a less partisan and confrontational approach to the job than predecessor Noem, even as both parties traded barbs.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Mary, who was just finishing up undergrad at NYU herself, responded to a casting-call flyer Ron posted and slipped into the role with the confrontational zeal of a creative soul mate.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026
The clash mirrors a broader fight within the Democratic Party, as progressive candidates push for a more confrontational stance toward Israel’s government and more moderate lawmakers warn against alienating pro-Israel voters and donors.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
The rematch reflects growing frustration with Foushee among younger, left-leaning voters who view her as insufficiently confrontational, particularly on Israel and outside political spending, in one of the safest Democratic districts in the country.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 2 Mar. 2026
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
During the major social upheavals of 2011 and 2019, students adopted a confrontational stance against the political and business elite to demand systemic reforms.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
That sense of freedom—of the gaze, of emotion, and of expression—is part of what made Farrokhzad the Iranian New Wave’s confrontational exemplar.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
The result is a boundary-pushing and confrontational experience that expands both the possibilities of VR and our understanding of how intimate stories can be shared and experienced.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
The former mixed martial arts fighter vowed to take a less partisan and confrontational approach to the job than predecessor Noem, even as both parties traded barbs.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Mary, who was just finishing up undergrad at NYU herself, responded to a casting-call flyer Ron posted and slipped into the role with the confrontational zeal of a creative soul mate.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026
The clash mirrors a broader fight within the Democratic Party, as progressive candidates push for a more confrontational stance toward Israel’s government and more moderate lawmakers warn against alienating pro-Israel voters and donors.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
The rematch reflects growing frustration with Foushee among younger, left-leaning voters who view her as insufficiently confrontational, particularly on Israel and outside political spending, in one of the safest Democratic districts in the country.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontational
Adjective
-
Brvenik, 44, was diagnosed in 2024 with leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Your sense of self takes the lead as the Moon, presently in your sign, opposes aggressive Mars across your partnership zone.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In Lebanon, where Israel has started an invasion in the south while targeting the Hezbollah militant group, officials said more than 1,100 people have been killed in the country since the start of the war.—
Sam Metz,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
He was killed in southern Lebanon, a stronghold of the militant group Hezbollah, as Israel expands an invasion there.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The 45th president’s victory in the crowded 2016 primary effectively toppled the existing Republican Establishment, injecting the party with a combination of populism and distrust that was especially hostile to the way things were done before.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Customers will keep fighting back with dirty returns, unused reservations and hostile reviews.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some Charlotte region transportation board members want a say on whether the contentious Interstate 77 South toll lane project should continue based on upcoming design changes.—
Desiree Mathurin
March 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Quebec’s identity has been contentious since the 1760s when the British completed their takeover of what was then called New France.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Your 9th House of Mental Growth takes the spotlight as the empathetic Moon fusses over combative Mars.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
She was fired by Trump following a series of combative congressional hearings, in which she was questioned about the agency's aggressive immigration enforcement actions, which culminated in the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 2026.
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