combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈba-tiv 

: marked by eagerness to fight or contend

combatively adverb

combativeness noun

Synonyms

• aggressive
• agonistic
• argumentative
• assaultive
• bellicose
• belligerent
• brawly
• chippy
• confrontational
• contentious
• discordant
• disputatious
• feisty
• gladiatorial
• militant
• pugnacious
• quarrelsome
• scrappy
• truculent
• warlike

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

The combative environment engendered a grim sort of gallows humor. —Jason Parham, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2024

Orlando’s power provider plans to vote Tuesday on revamping its billing structure, changing incentives for when and how customers consume power, which has fueled a combative controversy over what’s best for local solar energy and electricity users. —Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Dec. 2024

Any further attempts at conversation will be treated as such, which is why Karen has maintained combative energy with them both. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024

Badenoch is a combative politician known for taking on journalists, Labour politicians, and even the actor David Tennant. —Andrew Jones, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈbat-iv 

: eager to fight : pugnacious

combativeness noun