aggressive

adjective

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ag·gres·sive | \ ə-ˈgre-siv

Definition of aggressive

1a : tending toward or exhibiting aggression aggressive behavior

b : marked by combative readiness an aggressive fighter

2a : 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

Other Words from aggressive Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about aggressive

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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 Your stepdaughter and stepson might have perceived the post as passive-aggressive and embarrassing. — Dear Annie, cleveland, "Dear Annie: Did I make a mistake by calling out our adult children on social media?," 6 Dec. 2019 Modern humans are also less aggressive and more cooperative than many of our ancestors. — Michael Price, Science | AAAS, "Early humans domesticated themselves, new genetic evidence suggests," 4 Dec. 2019 Although Bloomberg was elected New York's mayor three times, his aggressive approach to policing alienated some communities of color. — Ben Mitchell, CBS News, "Mayor of South Carolina's capital says he would back Michael Bloomberg," 18 Nov. 2019 Combined with the permission to display over other apps, the app is free to plaster ads in a variety of aggressive and annoying ways. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "Unrelenting “ad blocker” plasters users with—you guessed it—ads," 17 Nov. 2019 Junior guard Koby McEwen came out aggressive after the break and sparked MU out of its lethargy. — Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Marquette 65, Purdue 55: Golden Eagles storm back in the second half," 13 Nov. 2019 Similar to the Heat, the Panthers are also capitalizing on the excitement from an aggressive offseason approach. — Wells Dusenbury, sun-sentinel.com, "Heat and Panthers TV ratings soar amid hot starts; Marlins online viewership increases," 5 Nov. 2019 These two defined two different yet enjoyable periods of modern Tottenham history, with Modric the architect behind the Harry Redknapp days, and Dembele the symbol of Pochettino's first Spurs, aggressive and bullish, yet elegant and fleet-footed. — SI.com, "Tottenham's Rebuild Needs to Revolve Around Tanguy Ndombele," 23 Oct. 2019 The most aggressive alternative considered by the BLM would allow leasing and oil drilling infrastructure within the entire Teshekpuk area and parts of the Utukok River Uplands. — CBS News, "Trump administration may allow drilling in Alaskan conservation areas," 22 Nov. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aggressive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

12 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Aggressive.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggressive. Accessed 12 December 2019.

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More Definitions for aggressive

aggressive

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of aggressive

: ready and willing to fight, argue, etc. : feeling or showing aggression

: using forceful methods to succeed or to do something

: very severe

See the full definition for aggressive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

aggressive

adjective

ag·gres·sive | \ ə-ˈgre-siv

Kids Definition of aggressive

1 : showing a readiness to fight or argue an aggressive dog aggressive behavior

2 : engaging in hostile action without reasonable cause an aggressive nation

3 : being forceful in getting things done an overly aggressive salesperson

aggressive

adjective

ag·gres·sive | \ ə-ˈgres-iv

Medical Definition of aggressive

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