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.
The former state representative and senator from west-central Missouri took office as secretary of state in January 2025 and brought a more combative approach to overseeing elections and ballot measures. — Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2026 No other details were provided, and since that announcement, the CAC and its membership have found themselves on opposite sides of an increasingly combative divide. — Adam B. Vary, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026 With the moon in Libra, partnerships take center stage today, and the mood is cooperative rather than combative. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Oct. 2026 In other battleground Senate races this fall, voters must choose between a combative Democrat and a Trump-friendly Republican. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 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 20 Oct. 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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