combative vs contentious

combative and contentious both are adjectives.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
combative	No	Yes	No	No
contentious	No	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, combative and contentious are synonyms defined as:

combative and contentious: inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits

Other synonyms of combative include disputatious, disputative, litigious.

combative (adjective)	contentious (adjective)
having or showing a ready disposition to fight	inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits	involving or likely to cause controversy
striving to overcome in argument