yvlog

Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

combative

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

adjective

  1. ready or inclined to fight; pugnacious:

    He displayed a most unpleasant, combative attitude.



combative

/ ˈkɒmbətɪv; ˈkʌm- /

adjective

  1. eager or ready to fight, argue, etc; aggressive
“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
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈdzپ, adverb
  • ˈdzپԱ, noun
Discover More

Other yvlog Forms

  • dz·i· adverb
  • dz·i·Ա dz··پ··ٲ [kom-b, uh, -, tiv, -i-tee], noun
  • ܲcdz·i adjective
Discover More

yvlog History and Origins

Origin of combative1

First recorded in 1825–35; combat + -ive
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He made no apologies for his combative public persona: “They want to call it being abrasive, being a bully. No, it’s standing up for what’s right.”

From

In the meantime, Taiwan’s opposition-backed legislature wants to cut defense spending, criticizing the current administration for wasteful spending, corruption and a combative approach to China that it believes is driving the island closer to war.

From

He flourished in the position, earning praise for his combative performance and tough tackling, and has not looked back since.

From

Lawson put in some creditable and combative performances on his return last year, following Red Bull's decision to drop Daniel Ricciardo from their Racing Bulls team.

From

Puritans said religion and government don’t mix, based on the repression their combative sect experienced in Europe.

From

Advertisement

Related yvlogs

Discover More

More About Combative

What doescombative mean?

Combative means inclined to fight or prone to being argumentative.

It’s especially used to describe someone who has become defensive and is disputing things in a belligerent way. It’s not commonly applied to someone who’s prone to starting physical fights.

It can also be used to describe situations in which someone or multiple people are acting this way, such as a combative press conference or a combative meeting.

The word combatant is commonly used as a noun meaning one of the sides engaged in a fight, but it can also be used as an adjective meaning the same thing as combative.

Example: The senator became combative when faced with some tough questions during the town hall meeting.

Where doescombative come from?

The first records of the word combative come from the 1800s. It ultimately comes from the Late Latin combattere, from com-, meaning “with” or “together,” and the Latin verb battuere, meaning “to strike” or “to beat.” The word battle is based on this same root. The suffix -ive is used to form adjectives.

Combative is always used negatively. It implies that the person is being defensive or overly argumentative. It has several synonyms that each have different shades of meaning, including belligerent, quarrelsome, argumentative, and pugnacious.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to combative?

  • combatively (adverb)

What are some synonyms for combative?

What are some words that share a root or word element with combative?

What are some words that often get used in discussing combative?

How iscombative used in real life?

Combative is usually used in a negative way to criticize someone for being overly inclined to argue or dispute things.

Try usingcombative!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of combative?

A. pugnacious
B. belligerent
C. peaceful
D. quarrelsome

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement