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

President Donald Trump’s agenda is taking a combative, rocky path through the judicial branch. —Cory Smith, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025

Driving the news: Vance has won over Trump's base with combative public performances, by savvily managing relationships with Trump's team, and by showing unwavering fealty to Trump's vision. —Marc Caputo, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025

The Trump administration had suspended all military aid and intelligence sharing in the aftermath of that combative meeting in Washington. —Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2025

Sparring with the media and holding grudges are features of Donald Trump’s combative personality. —Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

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