combative
adjective
com·bat·ive
kəm-ˈba-tiv 
: marked by eagerness to fight or contend
combatively
adverb
combativeness
noun
Examples of combative in a Sentence
When the police tried to arrest him, he became combative.
channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite this, the sport has a cultural history, especially among those who appreciate the aesthetic and combative qualities of the fish.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Its combative response is a blunt sign of the administration’s intention to double down and defy the courts.
—Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Trump's rally just outside Detroit — his largest political event since returning to the White House — largely sidestepped two major issues that have shaken Michigan: the economic fallout from his aggressive trade tariffs and his combative stance toward neighboring Canada.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Some past inspectors general have faced accusations of being too combative — or too cozy — with department leadership.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Its combative response is a blunt sign of the administration’s intention to double down and defy the courts.
—Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Trump's rally just outside Detroit — his largest political event since returning to the White House — largely sidestepped two major issues that have shaken Michigan: the economic fallout from his aggressive trade tariffs and his combative stance toward neighboring Canada.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Some past inspectors general have faced accusations of being too combative — or too cozy — with department leadership.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combative. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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