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
Writing used to be a pretty combative process for us.
—
Bill Kopp, SPIN, 20 Feb. 2025
The relationship between the two men naturally proves combative, with Danny unwilling to relinquish his status and Wihlborg impatient with his trainer’s refusal to acknowledge his limitations.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
This proactive approach shifts the narrative from combative to collaborative.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
Perhaps a more communicative run-up on expectations or an approach that features more competitive offers to kick off the negotiations could go a long way to keeping the conversations more positive and less combative.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
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Bill Kopp, SPIN, 20 Feb. 2025
The relationship between the two men naturally proves combative, with Danny unwilling to relinquish his status and Wihlborg impatient with his trainer’s refusal to acknowledge his limitations.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
This proactive approach shifts the narrative from combative to collaborative.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
Perhaps a more communicative run-up on expectations or an approach that features more competitive offers to kick off the negotiations could go a long way to keeping the conversations more positive and less combative.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 13 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 2025.
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