as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of combative
With so much at stake in a hyper-polarized and combative climate, US elections have become increasingly militarized, with bulletproof glass, drones, defensive blockades, and snipers protecting election offices, and election officials bracing for the possibility of violent attacks.
—
Matt Burgess, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2024
Advertisement The paper trail of Upton’s incarceration describes her as distraught and combative on arrival at the Robert
The Cois M. Byrd Detention Center, also referred to as the Southwest Detention Center, in Murrieta.
—Christopher Damien, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
New think tanks and magazines explored the boundaries of what an America First conservatism might be: more combative about progressive values, more isolationist in foreign policy, more nationalist on immigration, and more open to government intervention to stem free trade.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for combative 
Matt Burgess, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2024
Advertisement The paper trail of Upton’s incarceration describes her as distraught and combative on arrival at the Robert
The Cois M. Byrd Detention Center, also referred to as the Southwest Detention Center, in Murrieta.
—Christopher Damien, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
New think tanks and magazines explored the boundaries of what an America First conservatism might be: more combative about progressive values, more isolationist in foreign policy, more nationalist on immigration, and more open to government intervention to stem free trade.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
Adjective
-
Kristin talks with peers, peers’ parents, and every staff member, explaining how the dog is trained, how to behave around it, and soothing any worries regarding potential aggressive actions.Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
-
What drove a lot of interest and buzz around the movie was a reported real-life feud between Blake Lively and star/director Justin Baldoni, which featured things like dramatic press tours, people not following people on Instagram and some passive aggressive press comments.Paul Tassi, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The Syrian escalations take place as Assad’s allies Russia and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have been increasingly distracted by battle on their own home fronts, engaging Ukraine and Israel, respectively.Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 8 Dec. 2024
-
But Western hopes of a more moderate Syria sank when the new leader promptly maintained his country’s traditional ties with militant groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.Simone McCarthy, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
In story mode, there are a few other people to find on the island, some of whom will be helpful and others hostile.Jason Bennett, arkansasonline.com, 15 Dec. 2024
-
In June, a former employee sued Neuralink and accused it of hosting a discriminatory and hostile work environment, claiming that they had not been given proper protective gear while working with the monkeys.William Gavin, Quartz, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
If the appeals court ruling stands, the next chapter in the TikTok saga will likely unfold in the Supreme Court, where legal experts predict a contentious debate over the intersection of national security and free speech.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
-
But Dead & Company have not shied from using their touring to platform more contentious causes.Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Even in the face of assaultive public opinion, there is nothing to add.Paolo Armelli, WIRED, 1 Aug. 2024
-
How many times, in the throes of his illness, had he been taken into custody by police, accused of lewd or assaultive behavior, and locked in psych wards, only to be let out within days?Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near combative
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share