combative

/ˈkɒmbətɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /kəmˈbætɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /kəm-ˈba-tiv/ (ame, mw)

combative — 形容詞

  • combativepositive
  • more combativecomparative
  • most combativesuperlative

1. describes someone who is always ready to argue or get into a physical fight, oft

1.形容詞B2
釋義

好鬥；好辯

容易與人發生爭執或肢體衝突

describes someone who is always ready to argue or get into a physical fight, often showing open hostility in situations where others would stay calm

例句

Diego's combative tone made the simple staff meeting feel like a courtroom battle.

Diego 好鬥的語氣讓簡單的員工會議變得像法庭辯論。

collocation: combative tone

Amina grew combative whenever someone questioned her travel expenses.

每當有人質疑 Amina 的差旅開支時，她就變得很好鬥。

pattern: grew + combative (become + adjective)

同義詞
  • aggressive

    broader term that can also describe non-human forces (e.g. an aggressive tumour); combative specifically describes a person's disposition

  • belligerent

    more formal and stronger; often implies actual fighting or warlike behaviour, not just a readiness to argue

  • confrontational

    emphasises face-to-face challenge and directness; combative can describe a general temperament even when no one is present

  • pugnacious

    more literary and old-fashioned; suggests a natural, almost instinctive tendency to fight

反義詞
  • conciliatory

    showing willingness to end a disagreement; the opposite disposition

  • placid

    calm and not easily angered or provoked

用法筆記

More often describes verbal aggression than physical fighting in everyday English. When the context clearly involves physical violence, it is usually stated explicitly (e.g. 'combative and threw the first punch').

常見錯誤

❌She was very combative in the chess tournament' (when you just mean she wanted to win).
✅She was very competitive in the chess tournament.
💡'combative' suggests open hostility and aggression; 'competitive' means having a strong desire to win.