The League under Donohue's leadership is criticized for its conservatism and for its combative responses to high-profile media stories.

Martin T. Sosnoff, the largest and most vocal investor in Caesars World Inc., issued a combative response yesterday to the company's proposed stock buyback.

The problem, his critics say, is that his confrontational style and tendency to criticize the ideas of faculty members in front of their colleagues requires an equally combative response.

André harshly criticized Jessica's choice of shoes, and her combative responses displeased the judges.

The Justice Department's antitrust case against Microsoft and the company's combative response in court have cast a shadow over some of the software maker's product plans.

But, when strongly opposed, Laidlaw's combative and insulting responses could generate such opposition that townships delayed contributing money for years, or refused entirely.

In his combative response to House Democrats, Mr. Barr said, "The criteria for invoking the independent counsel statute are not present."

Companies Sears, Roebuck blundered in its combative response to accusations that it overcharged for car repairs, crisis management experts said.

Tyson had been landing booming lefts and rights all night, with hardly a combative response from Biggs.

Mention of the nine contested senators and four deputies who were elected in January, however, elicits a more combative response.