Definition of aggressivenext
1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective aggressive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of aggressive are assertive, militant, and self-assertive. While all these words mean "obtrusively energetic especially in pursuing particular goals," aggressive implies a disposition to dominate often in disregard of others' rights or in determined and energetic pursuit of one's ends.

aggressive in his business dealings

When is assertive a more appropriate choice than aggressive?

Although the words assertive and aggressive have much in common, assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion.

the more assertive speakers dominated the forum

In what contexts can militant take the place of aggressive?

In some situations, the words militant and aggressive are roughly equivalent. However, militant also implies a fighting disposition but suggests not self-seeking but devotion to a cause, movement, or principle.

militant protesters rallied against the new law

Where would self-assertive be a reasonable alternative to aggressive?

The words self-assertive and aggressive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence.

a self-assertive young upstart

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aggressive For most of Disney+’s life in the region, the company has looked for content to build a steady business at its own pace and in its own style, while Netflix set the upper limits of what aggressive streaming growth in the region could look like. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026 Stubbornly high inflation and an aggressive tone from new Chairman Kevin Warsh will lead the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates three times this year, according to Bank of America. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 22 June 2026 Jill Smokler, founder of Scary Mommy, has died at age 48 after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026 Anthropic calls for more stringent regulation and supports efforts by states such as New York and California that have passed more aggressive AI laws. Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
  • Fiber-optic, first-person view (FPV) drones have become a key weapon in the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah’s war against Israel in recent months – bypassing Israel’s sophisticated defense systems by duplicating an asymmetric warfare tactic that first emerged in the Russia-Ukraine war.
    Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
  • Children of the 1960s may recall that even within the militant activist group, Students for Democratic Society (SDS), animus was frequently directed not at the establishment but at fellow antiwar advocates.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • With ambitious Mars in your 2nd House of Resources sextiling lucky Jupiter in your 4th House of Home, money choices gather momentum and support.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
  • Holmes, 26, had ambitious plans for the winnings.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • The march stems from the violent 1969 police raid of the Stonewall Inn that catalyzed the gay rights movement at a time when many people who were LGBTQIA+ hid their identity.
    Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • Over the years, Hall has responded to emergencies ranging from domestic violence calls to serious violent crimes.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • The complaint alleges that school officials at Southern Hills Middle School failed to stop two years of antisemitic harassment against an eighth grader even after investigations concluded the student faced a hostile environment.
    Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • Create an internal incident map and begin tagging hostile actions according to the DISARM taxonomy.
    Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • The 2023 arrest of her then-10-year-old cousin for urinating in public brought fierce condemnation.
    Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 June 2026
  • For a party that prides itself on diversity, the clashes have exacerbated fierce debates over identity politics and long-standing rifts between progressives and moderates.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Levine Cava gave the golden-colored dog a vigorous pat on the head.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 27 June 2026
  • Leave as many green fronds on your palms as possible to keep them vigorous and healthy.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • This is not so different from the Founders’ vision of democracy, in which a federal system with independent, coequal branches of government forces collisions of competing interests that can get contentious, even chaotic, before compromises are forged.
    Henry De Sio, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
  • But with the Turnberry Agreement finally finding its footing, a reopening of wounds and a reignition of a contentious trade battle has likely held little appeal for the EU.
    Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • This could be described as assertive or confident clothing, all of the designer’s work achieves drama while in its exceptionally flattering fit, and which somehow still looks and feels awfully comfortable.
    Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • The good news is that the day progresses quickly, and Mercury in Cancer’s productive alignment to Mars in Taurus adds conviction and a refreshingly assertive tone to our conversations.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on aggressive

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster