combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈba-tiv How to pronounce combative (audio)
Synonyms of combative
: marked by eagerness to fight or contend
combatively adverb
combativeness noun

Synonyms of combative

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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
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.
Whitehouse, who once challenged Durbin for the position, is known for his more combative tone and progressive bent. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026 That newfound freedom sometimes revealed a more combative side. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026 Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele says that Stimmel was allegedly combative with arresting officers that day and allegedly tried to throw a punch during intake. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 The platform still plays that game, though even there the tone has become somewhat combative, as one creator notes to THR. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combative

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of combative was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

combat intelligence
combative
combative accent
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Cite this Entry

“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combative. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

combative

adjective
com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈbat-iv How to pronounce combative (audio)
: eager to fight : pugnacious
combativeness noun
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