aggressive

adjective

ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgre-siv How to pronounce aggressive (audio)
1
a
: tending toward or exhibiting aggression
aggressive behavior
b
: marked by combative readiness
an aggressive fighter
2
a
: marked by obtrusive energy and self-assertiveness
a rude, aggressive personality
b
: marked by driving forceful energy or initiative : enterprising
an aggressive salesman
3
: strong or emphatic in effect or intent
aggressive colors
aggressive flavors
4
: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly
aggressive bone tumors
5
: more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent
aggressive chemotherapy
aggressively adverb
aggressiveness noun
aggressivity noun
Choose the Right Synonym for aggressive

aggressive, militant, assertive, self-assertive 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

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

assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion.

the more assertive speakers dominated the forum

self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence.

a self-assertive young upstart

Examples of aggressive in a Sentence

He started to get aggressive and began to shout. an aggressive lawyer whose tactics have made people angry The team plays a very aggressive style of defense. The company took aggressive steps to prevent illegal use of their equipment. The publisher has been very aggressive in promoting the book. The city began an aggressive campaign to encourage recycling. an aggressive form of cancer
Recent Examples on the Web Whatever Warner family that may have been there would unlikely have been so aggressive in defending yet another one of Jack’s odd public moments. Chris Yogerst, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Still, in the past, the White House has been criticized for not being more aggressive in its push to aid struggling renters. Jeff Stein, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Keen often took a passive aggressive approach with his staff, according to six former employees. William Turton, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024 Banks are tightening credit in response to sharply higher interest rates Banks have been tightening credit in response to the Fed's aggressive campaign to raise interest rates. Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 The Biden administration has taken a much more aggressive approach in fighting mergers and combinations, including in the airline industry. Chris Isidore, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Deputies said the child had been around the dog multiple times, and the dog didn’t have a history of aggressive behavior. Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 Conversely, a higher target of about 5.5% would indicate more aggressive stimulus, said Neil Thomas, a Chinese politics fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Ken Moritsugu, Quartz, 3 Mar. 2024 The move to prove bribery allegations false marks Weiss’s most aggressive investigative action — though none of the most critical evidence of Biden's influence-peddling comes from this source. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aggressive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin aggressīvus, from Latin aggressus, past participle of aggredī "to step up to, approach, attack" + -īvus -ive — more at aggress

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of aggressive was in 1716

Dictionary Entries Near aggressive

Cite this Entry

“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggressive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aggressive

adjective
ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgres-iv How to pronounce aggressive (audio)
1
a
: showing readiness to attack
an aggressive dog
b
: practicing aggression
an aggressive nation
2
: being forceful in getting things done
an aggressive sales campaign
3
: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly
aggressive weeds
aggressively adverb
aggressiveness noun

Medical Definition

aggressive

adjective
ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgres-iv How to pronounce aggressive (audio)
1
: tending toward or exhibiting aggression
aggressive behavior
2
: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly
aggressive bone tumors
3
: more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent
aggressive chemotherapy
aggressive surgical intervention
compare conservative
aggressively adverb
aggressiveness noun
aggressivity noun
plural aggressivities

More from Merriam-Webster on aggressive

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