combative

1 of 2

adjective

com·bat·ive kəm-ˈba-tiv

Synonyms of combative

: marked by eagerness to fight or contend

combatively adverb

combativeness noun

combativeness

2 of 2

noun

com·bat·ive·ness

kəm-ˈba-tiv-nəs

plural -es

: the state or quality of being combative : pugnacity, belligerence

admitting that man's nature will never lose the combativeness, hostility, and animosity which are so large a part of it—Norman Angell

Examples of combative in a Sentence

Adjective 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.

Adjective

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

Adjective

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of combative was in 1826

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“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

: eager to fight : pugnacious

combativeness noun

combative

adjective

noun

Synonyms of combative

Examples of combative in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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