combative

[kuh m-bat-iv, kom-buh-tiv, kuhm-]

See more synonyms for combative on Thesaurus.com

adjective

ready or inclined to fight; pugnacious: He displayed a most unpleasant, combative attitude.

Origin of combative

First recorded in 1825–35; combat + -ive

Related formscom·bat·ive·ly, adverbcom·bat·ive·ness, com·ba·tiv·i·ty

[kom-buh-tiv-i-tee] /ˌkɒm bəˈtɪv ɪ ti/, nounun·com·bat·ive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for combative

Contemporary Examples

“I think if you get combative and overly objecting, people are going to begin to get suspicious,” Edwards told me.
Vote for the (Alleged) Crooks! How Rick Perry, Chris Christie, and Scott Walker are Running While Under Investigation
Olivia Nuzzi
August 29, 2014
When Sara took her case before a panel of faculty members, she said she found them combative and insensitive.
Columbia Announces Changes To School Sex Assault Policy
Abigail Golden
January 31, 2014
As Gondry asks Chomsky about his childhood, the answer soon becomes clear: a skeptical, inquisitive, combative mind.
What Is Michel Gondry Doing With Noam Chomsky?
Jimmy So
November 20, 2013
Like Socrates, Street Epistemologists are to understand themselves as inquisitive teachers, not combative lecturers.
Atheist Philosopher Peter Boghossian’s Guide to Converting Believers
Michael Schulson
November 2, 2013
Lubetsky explained that students who found Cruz combative may have simply been seeing what made Cruz so successful as a debater.
Ted Cruz at Princeton: Creepy, Sometimes Well Liked, and Exactly the Same
Patricia Murphy
August 19, 2013

Historical Examples

Mrs. Tidditt, diminutive but combative, offered a suggestion.
Fair Harbor
Joseph Crosby Lincoln
“And another reason why I like you is because you are combative,” he said thoughtfully.
Adam Johnstone's Son
F. Marion Crawford
Something in his tone roused a combative instinct in his companion.
Marriage la mode
Mrs. Humphry Ward
They made many mistakes; they were combative, often difficult to deal with.
Victorian Worthies
George Henry Blore
For Mr. Adams was by nature not only independent, but resentful and combative.
John Quincy Adams
John. T. Morse

British Dictionary definitions for combative

combative

adjective

eager or ready to fight, argue, etc; aggressive

Derived Formscombatively, adverbcombativeness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for combative

adj.

1819, from combat + -ive. In 1820s-30s, much associated with phrenology. Related: Combatively; combativeness (1815).

combative

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for combative

Contemporary Examples

“I think if you get combative and overly objecting, people are going to begin to get suspicious,” Edwards told me.

When Sara took her case before a panel of faculty members, she said she found them combative and insensitive.

As Gondry asks Chomsky about his childhood, the answer soon becomes clear: a skeptical, inquisitive, combative mind.

Like Socrates, Street Epistemologists are to understand themselves as inquisitive teachers, not combative lecturers.

Lubetsky explained that students who found Cruz combative may have simply been seeing what made Cruz so successful as a debater.

Historical Examples

Mrs. Tidditt, diminutive but combative, offered a suggestion.

“And another reason why I like you is because you are combative,” he said thoughtfully.

Something in his tone roused a combative instinct in his companion.

They made many mistakes; they were combative, often difficult to deal with.

For Mr. Adams was by nature not only independent, but resentful and combative.

combative

Word Origin and History for combative

adj.

Origin of combative