combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈba-tiv How to pronounce combative (audio)
: 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
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.
Israel and Greece would also try to stymie a pan-Turkic outflow of funds and power thrusting a combative Erdogan into their zones of influence. Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 Although many will agree with Nandy’s position, her combative stance has raised eyebrows among fellow lawmakers, BBC insiders, and industry observers. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 9 July 2025 Case in point: Seti, the combative heroine at the heart of director Soheil Beiraghi bracing drama, Bidad, has a love of singing and a talent to match. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025 Waltz is likely to face combative questioning from Democrats on the the Senate Foreign Relations Committee over the Signal controversy. Nikole Killion, CBS News, 8 July 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Combative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combative. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

combative

adjective
com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈbat-iv How to pronounce combative (audio)
: eager to fight : pugnacious
combativeness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on combative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!