confrontational
- adjective
- /kənˌfrʌn.təˈneɪ.ʃən.əl/
- She often responds in a confrontational manner during disagreements.
- a confrontational stance
- confrontational tactics
- a confrontational approach
We're priming our our system to engage in a confrontational interaction.
- We're priming our our system to engage in a confrontational interaction.
- And then find a very neutral, approachable, non confrontational time and place to speak with your friend.
- I like, I just, I, it's like I'm a confrontational person by nature.
- What Lincoln did is he he was not confrontational.
- You're going to make that man unnecessarily arrogant and confrontational for no reason.
- Because they, they, he wanted to be confrontational.
- But he's like like, you know, I don't see him as very confrontational.
- He knew only too well how hard ass cops could sour things, make things confrontational.
- I've always been extremely confrontational and that is not always served me well.
Examples
-
MacDonald's advocacy of tribal interests within the national arena was often confrontational and public.
Academic text (1998) -
Why do you have to be confrontational all the time?
-
...because it was a confrontational part with you, Michael.
-
Why must you always be so confrontational?
-
No need to get confrontational now, Dale.
-
I'm not a confrontational man by nature, but you guys are gonna have to start working with me.
-
You may not understand how confrontational you're being right now.
-
Why don't you stop being so confrontational, Dale?
-
None of us are particularly confrontational, but sometimes it can absolutely be fraught and there are definitely arguments.
-
At present, relations are cooling as the Iranian government pursues a confrontational path toward the outside world.
Academic text (2008)
Synonyms
Behaving in a hostile way and ready to attack or argue
Causing people to disagree or argue
Bold and aggressive to get attention or challenge others
Being ready to argue or fight
Being ready to argue or fight
Often likes to disagree with other people
Very bold and rude in a way that forces people to notice
Showing a wish to argue or fight
Quick to argue or fight, often over small things
Likely to argue or fight with other people
Quick to argue or fight and often angry
Too forceful or pushy in a way that makes other people uncomfortable
Someone who acts in a pushy way to get ahead and promote their own interests
Being confident and forceful when you speak or act, sometimes sounding rude
Showing a desire to argue or compete with others
Antonyms
How Confrontational
Surface Forms
Morphology
confrontational = confrontation (transparent) = confront + ation + al
The adjective is a regular derivation from 'confrontation' with -al, and its meaning is directly related to conflict or argument.
Etymology
The word confrontational comes from the verb confront, which is made from con- 'with' and front 'face', like the everyday word front. So to confront is to 'face' someone directly, and someone who is confrontational often faces others in an angry or argumentative way.