CONFRONTATIONAL Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

confrontational

adjective

Definition of confrontational

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight her confrontational, in-your-face manner doesn't help get legislation passed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 There seems to be something confrontational about each of these movies, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 Since taking over in March, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has pivoted from the confrontational style of immigration enforcement of his predecessor, Kristi Noem. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026 Cardi’s personality does the rest, turning every bar into an extension of the track’s confrontational energy. — Brittney Williams, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026 Although the scenes in the past consist of long conversations, that dialogue is provocative and confrontational, in ways that make what’s happening in Silo 18 feel somnambulant. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 But many Madrid supporters — and Perez — accepted Mourinho’s ultra-confrontational approach. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The piece that Toni, a trans woman, performs (written by Barton) is exuberantly erotic and scathingly confrontational; afterward, Lauren, called up to the stage by Toni, delivers a reading of her own. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026 Nicole Del Valle Rose, an etiquette coach and founder of the Las Vegas consultancy Poised & Proper, says the most gracious response is often the least confrontational one. — Angela Haupt, Time, 17 Aug. 2026 Neil recently wiped his Instagram account in order to throw up three confrontational posts. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontational

Adjective

Andersen in particular has struggled with such an aggressive role, where recovery pace and stomping channel defending are required to keep the shape.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Brown has two catches that converted third downs into firsts, providing a release valve against some aggressive Seahawks blitzes.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003, accused of developing and directing the 9/11 attacks, as a leader of the Islamic militant group Al Qaeda.

— Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The militant group is now likely to be even more maximalist in its demands and in its ambitions to assert control across the Red Sea.

— April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

Terrorism wasn’t a completely foreign concept, but the notion of a hostile, coordinated attack on our soil, at that scale, seemed like something that might only happen in a Tom Clancy novel or a summer blockbuster movie.

— Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Now, civil engineer Jishen Qiu and his team wondered if engineers could exploit Mars’s hostile climate, rather than fighting the planet’s extremely low temperature.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

The union planned to conclude a contentious bargaining period with Stellantis on Friday.

— Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026
When the parents are suspected of child abuse, Norway's powerful child protection services gets involved and takes the five kids away, including a baby, and kicks off a long and contentious legal process that takes a toll on Mihai and Lisbet.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of contentious

Adjective

Earlier in the day, UAE Team Emirates’ Kevin Vermaerke once again made his way into the day’s breakaway, the 25-year-old American having proven himself one of the most combative riders in the race after team leader Tadej Pogačar’s withdrawal.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Suno, which has had a highly combative relationship with the music industry in recent years.

— Jem Aswad, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of combative

Adjective

The use of force is allowed under certain conditions, according to the personnel board’s order, including when an inmate could be assaultive or hurt themselves — which led Green to dismiss CDCR’s allegation against the officer.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 7 June 2026

Definition of assaultive

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“Confrontational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontational. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of confrontational

adjective

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