| English Dictionary |
COMBATIVE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does combative mean?
• COMBATIVE (adjective)
The adjective COMBATIVE has 3 senses:
1. inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
2. striving to overcome in argument
3. having or showing a ready disposition to fight
Familiarity information: COMBATIVE used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
Synonyms:
combative; contentious; disputatious; disputative; litigious
Context example:
a litigious and acrimonious spirit
Similar:
argumentative (given to or characterized by argument)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Striving to overcome in argument
Synonyms:
agonistic; agonistical; combative
Context example:
a dialectical and agonistic approach
Similar:
competitive; competitory (involving competition or competitiveness)
Derivation:
combativeness (a militant aggressiveness)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Having or showing a ready disposition to fight
Synonyms:
battleful; bellicose; combative
Context example:
a contentious nature
Similar:
aggressive (having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends)
Derivation:
combat (battle or contend against in or as if in a battle)
combativeness (a militant aggressiveness)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Those that lie down with dogs, get up with fleas." (Native American proverb, Blackfoot)
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"A curse turns against the one who uttered it." (Corsican proverb)