[
US
/ˌkɑmˈbæˌtɪv, kəmˈbætɪv/
]
[ UK /kˈɒmbətˌɪv/ ]
[ UK /kˈɒmbətˌɪv/ ]
ADJECTIVE
-
striving to overcome in argument
a dialectical and agonistic approach -
having or showing a ready disposition to fight
a combative impulse
bellicose young officers
a contentious nature -
inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
a style described as abrasive and contentious
a litigious and acrimonious spirit
a disputatious lawyer
How To Use combative In A Sentence
- It ain 'fittin' fo 'you-all to say anythin' ag'in 'Dr. Morgan, whatever he may _se_-lect to do," asserted Bud, combatively, and Pink hastened to hedge. A Tar-Heel Baron
- The combative midfielder said with a chuckle: 'Are we depressed? The Sun
- Then whyever would one expect them to vote for the Republican candidate over Obama, who will then be the clearly more populist, combative candidate with working class concerns at heart? Dianne Feinstein: I'm Sticking By Hillary
- Her haughty, combative approach did not endear her to the sons of empire. The Times Literary Supplement
- His style was endlessly combative. Times, Sunday Times
- The combative, moustachioed Italian is widely recognised as one of the world's leading experts on human fertility.
- She is combative, not deferential, but not as effective as I'd like to see.
- Its combativeness, its hostility to everything it perceives as a threat, works against it here.
- The mood in the Garden to alien seeds is not concessive but combative.
- Natural combativeness, an innate immunity to being cowed by the biggest names or the biggest occasions in football, is obviously a vital part of the equipment he carries on to the field.
