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aggressive behavior
assertive behavior
hostile behavior
belligerent behavior
violent behavior
dominant behavior
an aggressive approach
a proactive approach
a vigorous approach
a strong approach
an active approach
an assertive approach
an aggressive treatment
an intense treatment
a vigorous treatment
an accelerated treatment
a rigorous treatment
an extreme treatment

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 But that jubilation quickly turns into a night of violence when Coop is beaten within an inch of his life by two guys hired by a crooked art gallery owner who put overly aggressive moves on his partner in crime Elena (Aimee Carrero). Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 9 May 2025 Chula Vista is one of the safest cities in California, confirming that our police department leadership is committed to serious, aggressive and fair law-enforcement. John McCann, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025 Producers intentionally cast aggressive players, and those players are constantly reminded to play a bold game in the days leading up to the start of filming. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 May 2025 But in recent weeks, Musk dramatically lowered his taxpayer savings estimates from DOGE's government cuts, disagreed publicly with Trump's aggressive tariff policies and butted heads with multiple Trump officials, some publicly, revealing divisions within the White House over Musk's influence. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
  • But this focus on AI might mark its most ambitious pivot yet.
    Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 19 May 2025
  • Yet much larger and more ambitious clinical trials in humans are needed, Chassaing added.
    David Hilzenrath, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Israel blames civilian casualties on Hamas because the militant group operates from civilian areas.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
  • Saturday's summit comes two months after Israel ended a ceasefire reached with the Hamas militant group in January.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Combs apologized for his violent behavior soon after the video's release.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Europeans, Australians and Americans organized violent, racially motivated riots and lawmakers began enacting anti-Chinese immigration legislation, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
  • Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.
    Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • And Marguerite did actually manage to live there for years, scraping together a life on the hostile tundra.
    The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025
  • And this is a very hard-line government that has taken a kind of hostile view of everybody in the region.
    Obed Manuel, NPR, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Carroll Gardens has been swept up in the vigorous market for Brooklyn townhouses in general — contract signings were up 11 percent last year, according to Serhant.
    Kim Velsey, Curbed, 8 May 2025
  • The paddling intensity will be vigorous, so participants should be experienced, wear clothing appropriate for weather conditions and bring water.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • The iPhone 16 available on the site in all five colors: white, pink, black or the two standout colors, teal, which is a gently assertive shade that still manages to be relaxed and pastel, and ultramarine, which is eye-poppingly bright and attractive.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • Their concern was that a more assertive Germany would reawaken old fears about German militarism.
    Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • This is a flawed sin; trying to make something happen in a contentious area with a bunch of people who had their own history.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
  • Last week, America welcomed the first group of South African Afrikaans refugees to the country, a move which has proved contentious.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on aggressive

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