as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combative
The Forest captain, his combative nature was particularly valuable that September day at Anfield.
—
Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
This time around, the president is flanked by advisers who support his combative trade agenda.
—Ana Swanson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
What’s required for 2028 is a combative, attention-grabbing candidate who can punch the Democratic establishment squarely in the face.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
Stefanik rose to national prominence as a combative Trump loyalist, defending the president in his first impeachment trial.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
This time around, the president is flanked by advisers who support his combative trade agenda.
—Ana Swanson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
What’s required for 2028 is a combative, attention-grabbing candidate who can punch the Democratic establishment squarely in the face.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
Stefanik rose to national prominence as a combative Trump loyalist, defending the president in his first impeachment trial.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
Adjective
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Though McBride — who has been subject to many aggressive comments from House Republicans since joining Congress in January — attempted to move on with the hearing, Massachusetts Rep. William Keating refused to let Self's disrespectful comment slide.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
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Lately, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has taken an aggressive posture toward Europe.—
Eric Berger,
Ars Technica,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The militant group has said that the move would affect the remaining hostages as well.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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In December, a coalition of opposition fighters led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took over cities and eventually Damascus as regime forces retreated.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The set-up has grown increasingly hostile over time, and became an impassible roadblock when the Lerner family tried to sell the Nationals back in 2022.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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Prince overcame the hostile environment and kept TCU afloat during the first quarter when the Horned Frogs struggled to find their footing offensively.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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President Donald Trump taunted Democrats and fueled new litigation against his contentious policies during his speech to Congress Tuesday while basking in the cheers and applause of fellow Republicans.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
5 Mar. 2025
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European stocks are heading for a higher open on Wednesday amid optimism that U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% duties on Canada and Mexico could be relaxed, with investors also paying attention to the potential reform of Germany’s contentious debt brake system.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There were no observed overt assaultive acts or movements displayed by [the man] on the video.—
Josh Wood,
The Courier-Journal,
18 Feb. 2025
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Even in the face of assaultive public opinion, there is nothing to add.—
Paolo Armelli,
WIRED,
1 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
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