1
as in combative
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
a kindergarten teacher who discourages aggressive behavior, like pushing, by rewarding those children who wait their turn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambitious
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal
if you don't take a more aggressive approach to this yard pretty soon, the weeds are going to take over completely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in violent
marked by or uttered with forcefulness
the team's game strategy depends on a very aggressive style of defense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The fallout from Singapore's money-laundering scandal and high-profile crypto failures like Three Arrows Capital and FTX triggered an aggressive compliance push in 2024, according to Iris Xu, founder of corporate services firm Jenga, whose clients are wealthy mainland Chinese in Singapore.
—
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
The Tommies’ recent success could have a direct impact on how aggressive Caruso and athletic director Phil Esten will be in scheduling the type of non-conference opponents that continue to measure the program’s growth.
—Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025
Courtney Williams, Collier, and Kayla McBride keyed the effort for Minnesota, shrinking the floor with aggressive on-ball pressure.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
While these flightless birds are typically shy and won’t go out of their way to be aggressive, attacks can be deadly, according to experts.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
The Tommies’ recent success could have a direct impact on how aggressive Caruso and athletic director Phil Esten will be in scheduling the type of non-conference opponents that continue to measure the program’s growth.
—Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025
Courtney Williams, Collier, and Kayla McBride keyed the effort for Minnesota, shrinking the floor with aggressive on-ball pressure.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
While these flightless birds are typically shy and won’t go out of their way to be aggressive, attacks can be deadly, according to experts.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
-
For many Democrats, however, Kirk was an offensive rage-baiter and the face of the MAGA movement's combative style.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Trump's combative approach to his role of healer-in-chief when tragedy strikes also represents a break from tradition, according to presidential historians who spoke with Newsweek.—
Daniel Bush,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This year’s most ambitious chefs laid themselves bare, their autobiographical storytelling shaping singular restaurants.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Scaling With Purpose The future for FIBI Vacation Rentals is ambitious but focused.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That act lowered the age at which children who are accused of certain violent crimes can be tried as adults from 16 to 14.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Just this morning, DHS took violent offenders off the streets with arrests for assault, DUI, and felony stalking.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Thanks to climate change, Cosmism’s ambivalent and generally hostile attitude towards the natural world should also sound familiar.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Another camera designed to withstand the hostile environment of space was used outside.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In the face of fierce opposition, Lyles supported bringing the Republican National Convention to Charlotte in 2020 — standing on her commitment to represent the entire city as mayor.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In Paradise Bay, competition is fierce to attract high-end clientele and the standout offering at Maxx Royal is its two-story, 5,750-square-meter spa.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Even your health feels vigorous.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
-
After a vigorous lobbying campaign, Congress adopted a half measure, disallowing sales taxes but retaining the deductibility of other subnational levies.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Biglari’s proxy battles stand as one of the longest and most contentious activist campaigns in restaurant industry history.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
-
However, his second run with the company came to an abrupt and reportedly contentious end just last week, as he was fired for what has been described as disciplinary reasons.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and led to 251 being abducted.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Broader market reactions have been muted, barring brief spikes in oil prices when Israel entered direct confrontations with Hamas’ crude-rich patron Iran and with other of Tehran’s proxies, such as Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.—
Ruxandra Iordache,Emma Graham,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share