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combative

[kuhm-bat-iv, kom-buh-tiv, kuhm-] / kəmˈbæt ɪv, ˈkɒm bə tɪv, ˈkʌm- /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Combative White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Friday she will be going on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her second child but did not name a stand-in.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

The top art biography for me this year was “Irascible: The Combative Life of Douglas Cooper, Collector and Friend of Picasso,” by Adrian Clark and Richard Calvocoressi.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

Combative former prime minister Andrej Babis makes up the trio of front-runners.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2023

Combative and unapologetic, Pruitt spoke with the rapid-fire delivery of a trial lawyer when outlining his policy positions or addressing audiences.

From Washington Post • Jul. 5, 2018

It embraces a group of organs of harmonious tendency, such as Friendship, Politeness, Imitation, Humor, Pliability and Admiration, as the Combative group is hostile, stubborn, morose and censorious.

From Buchanan's Journal of Man, December 1887 Volume 1, Number 11 by Buchanan, Joseph R. (Joseph Rodes)




Vocabulary lists containing combative


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