combative
adjective
com·bat·ive
kəm-ˈba-tiv 
: marked by eagerness to fight or contend
combatively
adverb
combativeness
noun
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
Authorities say Smith attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect became combative.
—
Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
Witnesses to the exchange did not see it as combative or disrespectful in any way, according to court documents.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025
Council leaders may be more combative to Hogsett The new council leadership may, however, prove more willing than their predecessors to butt heads with Mayor Joe Hogsett.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 21 Dec. 2025
With most Americans unhappy with the state of the economy, the president gets combative and deflects blame.
—ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
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Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
Witnesses to the exchange did not see it as combative or disrespectful in any way, according to court documents.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025
Council leaders may be more combative to Hogsett The new council leadership may, however, prove more willing than their predecessors to butt heads with Mayor Joe Hogsett.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 21 Dec. 2025
With most Americans unhappy with the state of the economy, the president gets combative and deflects blame.
—ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combative
Cite this Entry
“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combative. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
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