aggressive

adjective

ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgre-siv 

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

ˌa-ˌgre-ˈsi-və-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• ambitious
• assertive
• enterprising
• fierce
• go-getting
• high-pressure
• in-your-face
• militant
• pushy
• self-asserting
• self-assertive

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

This is just traditional spying, and conducting it is common sense, if only to defend against the aggressive anti-American operations of Chinese, Russian, and other skilled foreign intelligence services. —The Editors, National Review, 12 Apr. 2024

The dictator's aggressive tone shoots down any prospect of cooling tensions growing between North Korea, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. President Biden made an appeal Wednesday from the White House for Kim Jong Un to accept a Japanese proposal for international talks. —Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2024

In the face of aggressive Fed rate hikes, inflation had fallen steadily after peaking in mid-2022. —Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024

Health experts say aggressive formula marketing — such as steep discounts and free samples — can make misleading claims and prompt mothers to prematurely give up breastfeeding. —Heather Vogell, ProPublica, 10 Apr. 2024

But their reunion also highlights the widening political divide across the Taiwan Strait – and how Xi’s ever more aggressive posture toward Taipei has driven more Taiwanese away from China. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

The Russian Church has made similarly aggressive moves in Turkey, the Balkans, and elsewhere. —Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024

During tax season, there is a lot of aggressive marketing by companies promising to significantly reduce your tax debt. —Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024

The Bank of Japan scrapped the world’s last negative interest rate, ending the most aggressive monetary stimulus program in modern history, while also indicating that financial conditions will stay accommodative for now. —Toru Fujioka, Fortune Asia, 19 Mar. 2024

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

Phrases Containing aggressive

• hyper-aggressive
• passive-aggressive

Kids Definition

aggressive

adjective

ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgres-iv 

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 

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

ˌag-ˌre-ˈsiv-ət-ē 

noun

plural aggressivities