confrontational

[ kon-fruhn-tey-shuh-nl, -fruhn- ]

adjective

1. tending toward or ready for confrontation:

   They came to the meeting with a confrontational attitude.

Other Words From

• noncon·fron·tation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confrontational¹

confrontation + -al ¹

Example Sentences

As tensions rose, King and John Lewis repeatedly urged Richardson to be less confrontational and more compromising, she said.

From Washington Post

As if the current climate of the world wasn’t confrontational enough … I kind of tapped into an issue that used to be clear to me, but now simply has me confused.

From Ozy

These means include maintaining superior military power, economic pressure, independence in decision making, and a more confrontational approach toward China.

From Washington Post

I’m probably the most relaxed person in my group of friends, and I’m not confrontational at all in my personal life.

From Ozy

Think of a giant tug of war in which all the tugs have been toward more extreme and more confrontational versions of the party.

From FiveThirtyEight

He wants to repeal Obamacare, and he wants to be confrontational.

From The Daily Beast

The email exchanges started out as cordial, if cold, but gradually grew more confrontational.

From The Daily Beast

For Sara and other demonstrators, it was important that the situation did not become too confrontational.

From The Daily Beast

Known on stage for his confrontational style, Gelman heckles the audience as much as they heckle him.

From The Daily Beast

The teenager is said to have had a confrontational phone call the night before he allegedly went on his rampage.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• adversarial
• antagonistic
• bellicose
• combative