combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈba-tiv How to pronounce combative (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Small, combative players who can win second balls will do the job. Sam Lee, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 The moment was classic Fine, a politician who may be the Florida legislature’s brashest and most combative. Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025 Still, the dust up made for furious headlines in London, with the famously combative British press quick to point out the UK lost 636 service members in the U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 He’s been accused of misogyny, thanks to his occasionally crass and combative online takes. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for combative

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of combative was in 1826

Cite this Entry

“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combative. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

combative

adjective
com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈbat-iv How to pronounce combative (audio)
: eager to fight : pugnacious
combativeness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on combative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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