as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
her confrontational, in-your-face manner doesn't help get legislation passed
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Recent Examples of confrontational
De la Espriella has promised to cancel the talks and take a more confrontational approach to rebel groups that includes using airplanes to spray coca fields with herbicides.
—
ABC News, 9 June 2026
Much like life across Africa, the exhibition was layered, textured, richly sensual, and at times confrontational.
—Thomas Rom, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026
Let the friendship end naturally Assuming this is a mom friend without any ties to your family, the easiest, least confrontational method is to let the friendship fizzle out.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 6 June 2026
But in every era of conflict, some well-meaning moderates have enabled bad-faith censors by conflating confrontational speech with the violence that sometimes answers it.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Conversations that are not confrontational but still have players shielding their mouths from public view will continue to be permitted without penalty.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Red card for covering mouth during a confrontation Any player who covers his mouth in a confrontational situation could receive a red card.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Shange’s rainbow assemblage manages to be confrontational and conciliatory through a confessional accumulation that collapses poetry, movement, and ritual into a single and ever-changing event.
—Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Do not be confrontational about it.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
ABC News, 9 June 2026
Much like life across Africa, the exhibition was layered, textured, richly sensual, and at times confrontational.
—Thomas Rom, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026
Let the friendship end naturally Assuming this is a mom friend without any ties to your family, the easiest, least confrontational method is to let the friendship fizzle out.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 6 June 2026
But in every era of conflict, some well-meaning moderates have enabled bad-faith censors by conflating confrontational speech with the violence that sometimes answers it.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Conversations that are not confrontational but still have players shielding their mouths from public view will continue to be permitted without penalty.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Red card for covering mouth during a confrontation Any player who covers his mouth in a confrontational situation could receive a red card.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Shange’s rainbow assemblage manages to be confrontational and conciliatory through a confessional accumulation that collapses poetry, movement, and ritual into a single and ever-changing event.
—Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Do not be confrontational about it.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontational
Adjective
-
That was a fun one, with both teams staying aggressive throughout the match.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
That more aggressive posture has been exemplified in Lewis George's smaller jousts with the mayor over housing and public safety policies, too.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Trump’s birthday began with a new round of Israeli military strikes in Beirut, which the country said was in response to projectiles fired by the militant group Hezbollah at Israel.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
Israel’s military said the militant group launched three projectiles, releasing video in which an audible boom was followed by rising smoke.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
But if his intention is a quick rate cut, the new chairman might be entering a hostile work environment.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
-
French, American, British and other naval crews already have experience of escorting civilian ships through hostile fire in the region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Republicans decry fraud while Democrats worry about hunger SNAP’s new rules remain contentious in Congress.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
This has proven to be a contentious change for myriad reasons.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Their energy is heavy and combative, so much so with Shamea that Cynthia tries to orchestrate a come-to-Jesus moment at Lake Bailey.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
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The veteran journalist also offered insight into why Trump continues to grant her interviews despite their often combative exchanges.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
-
Unlawful activity including blocking roads, intentionally creating hazards and assaultive behavior will not be tolerated.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confrontational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontational. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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