combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈba-tiv 

: marked by eagerness to fight or contend

combatively adverb

combativeness noun

Synonyms

• aggressive
• agonistic
• argumentative
• assaultive
• bellicose
• belligerent
• brawly
• chippy
• confrontational
• contentious
• discordant
• disputatious
• feisty
• gladiatorial
• militant
• pugnacious
• quarrelsome
• scrappy
• truculent
• warlike

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

Under cross-examination, Ephron became combative and defensive, especially when asked about the $30 million lawsuit. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025

Disclosure of the grants came the same day that Patel was grilled in a combative Senate confirmation hearing, including about his past comments praising the rioters who attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025

Alcaraz offers the same traits and a combative edge. —Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025

Trump has also been increasingly combative about seizing the Panama Canal—militarily, if necessary. —Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

combative

adjective

com·​bat·​ive kəm-ˈbat-iv 

: eager to fight : pugnacious

combativeness noun