as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
channeling his naturally combative impulses into sports
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combative
Once elected, Nichols led a drive to affiliate her union with the Teamsters — a linkage that brought a more combative approach as well as higher dues.
—
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Your 7th House of Partnership heats up as combative Mars enters, raising the volume on agreements and close bonds that need clearer give-and-take.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Doss told detectives that the driver became combative during the tow.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
When South Carolina’s 62-48 victory ended, Auriemma approached his counterpart, a combative Philadelphian like himself, and there were fireworks.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Your 7th House of Partnership heats up as combative Mars enters, raising the volume on agreements and close bonds that need clearer give-and-take.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Doss told detectives that the driver became combative during the tow.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
When South Carolina’s 62-48 victory ended, Auriemma approached his counterpart, a combative Philadelphian like himself, and there were fireworks.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combative
Adjective
-
Gregory Bovino, the controversial head of aggressive enforcement activities in Chicago and Minneapolis, resigned from the agency.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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That approach, paired with more outreach to Black residents, may help increase the city’s affordable housing stock and close the gap in Black homeownership, though some city council members have urged a more aggressive push on affordable housing.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Israel has also enjoyed a number of military successes against Iran and its Lebanese proxy, the Hezbollah militant group.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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However, some members of the militant group refused to engage in the peace process from the start.—
Annabella González,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These Knicks still need to close the Hawks out in hostile territory in Game 6.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Extreme recovery conditions The Asse II mine presents a uniquely hostile environment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Just getting to this point, with passage out of the House, has been contentious, says Andrew Schmidt, director of governmental affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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The contentious exchange did not result in a handshake between the Israeli and Palestinian representatives, nor a photo featuring the two, but instead a plea from Infantino for the two nations to take part in an Under-15 tournament organized by FIFA in the future.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
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Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Unlawful activity including blocking roads, intentionally creating hazards and assaultive behavior will not be tolerated.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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Chief Judge James Boasberg ruled in two more surge cases involving Paul Nguyen and Nathalie Rose Jones, each accused of assaultive or threatening conduct during summer protests.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combative. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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