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
Little has been disclosed about the administration’s plan, which represents yet another salvo in President Trump’s combative push to reshape higher education, which has roiled academia, disrupted campus life and spilled into courts across the country.
—
Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
The public backing of Crockett, known for controversial statements and confrontational tactics, signals a potential shift toward more combative political messaging.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Bellingham combines this on-ball brilliance with combative aggression off it.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The SpaceX and Starlink chief offered terse responses, becoming combative over questions regarding his businesses and how his involvement in politics had affected his businesses.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
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Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
The public backing of Crockett, known for controversial statements and confrontational tactics, signals a potential shift toward more combative political messaging.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Bellingham combines this on-ball brilliance with combative aggression off it.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The SpaceX and Starlink chief offered terse responses, becoming combative over questions regarding his businesses and how his involvement in politics had affected his businesses.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 20 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 2 Jun. 2025.
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