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Meanings of combative in English

Inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits.

Related terms

Striving to overcome in argument.

Related terms

Having or showing a ready disposition to fight.

Related terms

Tending to argument or strife.

Usage of combative in English
1
Photo: Supplied The near-daily media briefings on Covid-19 often started out combative.
Radio NZ
2
At a combative press conference, Blatter said he was unafraid of arrest.
The Guardian
3
His government could also be more combative with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Reuters
4
That wasn't to say he was slow-witted or combative; he was neither.
Jarka Ruus
5
His charmingly combative relationship also lightens the mood in really murdery situations.
Wired
6
Liu has been among the most combative critics of China's one-Party rule.
The Irish Times
7
Even the combative US trade representative Charlene Barshefsky was unable to attend.
The Guardian
8
Arsenal are still not quite as combative as had been suggested beforehand.
The Irish Times
9
The guards said Hill was combative, exhibiting surprising strength that required force.
Reuters
10
Like his new colleagues Rich was intense and sometimes emotional and combative.
Ghost wars
11
She was not combative, and she would be alone in the garden.
The Garden of Allah
12
After a long three seconds, Hardwick continued in a less combative tone.
Think of a number
13
The president singled out Apple's iPhone by name in his combative speech.
The Irish Times
14
CLASHES Trump has had a combative relationship with his Democratic congressional counterparts.
Reuters
15
He foresaw the struggle and with his combative nature prepared for it.
Twenty Years of Congress, Volume 2 / From Lincoln to Garfield, w...
16
Some are quarrelsome and combative and will fight on the slightest provocation.
Crime: Its Cause and Treatment
About this term
More collocations
Combative through the time
Combative across language varieties
Ireland
Common
United States of America
Common
United Kingdom
Less common