Combative (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Having or showing a ready disposition to fight; "bellicose young officers"; "a combative impulse"; "a contentious nature".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The politician's combative style made her a formidable opponent in debates.
- He had a combative nature, always looking for a fight or an argument.
- The company's combative approach to negotiations led to a lengthy and contentious lawsuit.
- The coach's combative attitude inspired his team to play aggressively and never give up.
- Her combative personality made it difficult for her to form lasting relationships with her colleagues.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Striving to overcome in argument; "a dialectical and agonistic approach".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- She had a combative nature that made her a formidable debater on the college team, always ready to challenge opposing views.
- In his combative style, the talk show host was infamous for pouncing on guests who disagreed with his incendiary opinions.
- His combative approach to discussions often led to heated arguments, but he saw it as a necessary part of intellectual growth.
- The editor's combative attitude towards criticism made her unpopular among staff members, who hesitated to share their honest opinions.
- The professor encouraged his students to adopt a more combative stance in their essays, questioning widely accepted ideas and offering alternative perspectives.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
Inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits; "a style described as abrasive and contentious"; "a disputatious lawyer"; "a litigious and acrimonious spirit".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The politician had a combative relationship with the media, frequently lashing out at reporters who challenged her policies.
- His arguments were always so combative and confrontational that we stopped inviting him to dinner parties.
- The mayor's style was notoriously combative, with a history of suing newspapers that disagreed with her views.
- The company's combative stance on labor negotiations had made headlines for months, with no resolution in sight.
- As a lawyer, she was known for being combative in the courtroom, but her aggressive tactics sometimes put off judges and juries.