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

With more than half of seniors on private Medicare Advantage plans now, this combative trend could create increasing disruption to their coverage. —Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024

In contrast to Biden's combative tone, Harris made a plea to all Americans, including Republicans, at a rally attended by 75,000 people at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Yes, some of the hard-working, combative traits—reflecting Simeone’s vision—remain. —Henry Flynn, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Harris in a combative Fox News interview was pressed on immigration and what her differences are from Biden Trump repeated false claims about Haitian migrants and was asked about immigration policy during Univision town hall with undecided Latino voters. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 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