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
Trump’s combative and adversarial style, far from indicating thick skin, may signal the opposite: a compulsive need to dominate the narrative to avoid feeling diminished.
—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Caputo was combative throughout the night, beginning before her DUI arrest, according to an internal affairs report released by the Sheriff’s Office on Friday.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
The dialogue between the Eagles’ offensive coaching staff and players has ranged from combative to conducive.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Leo, in response, offered a less combative response.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
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Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Caputo was combative throughout the night, beginning before her DUI arrest, according to an internal affairs report released by the Sheriff’s Office on Friday.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
The dialogue between the Eagles’ offensive coaching staff and players has ranged from combative to conducive.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Leo, in response, offered a less combative response.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 30 May 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 14 Jun. 2025.
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