combative
adjective
com·bat·ive
kəm-ˈba-tiv 
: marked by eagerness to fight or contend
combatively
adverb
combativeness
noun
Synonyms
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
Presenting herself firmly as in the French political mainstream, three-time unsuccessful presidential candidate Le Pen struck a confident, combative figure, days away from perhaps the greatest political victory of her career.
—
Joseph Ataman, CNN, 5 July 2024
Being underage did not exempt anyone from this combative culture, and neither did being the preacher’s son.
—Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
Labarre said that this debate strategy, however, has been turning off some voters as the candidates have been more combative and aggressive in their debating, looking for zingers to go viral.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 26 June 2024
Thursday's event will mark the first time the two presidential frontrunners have debated since 2020, and its bound to get combative.
—Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for combative 
Joseph Ataman, CNN, 5 July 2024
Being underage did not exempt anyone from this combative culture, and neither did being the preacher’s son.
—Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
Labarre said that this debate strategy, however, has been turning off some voters as the candidates have been more combative and aggressive in their debating, looking for zingers to go viral.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 26 June 2024
Thursday's event will mark the first time the two presidential frontrunners have debated since 2020, and its bound to get combative.
—Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for combative
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'combative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near combative
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combative. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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