contentious vs combative

contentious and combative both are adjectives.

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

As adjectives, contentious and combative are synonyms defined as:

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

Other synonyms of contentious include disputatious, disputative, litigious.

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