1
2
3

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 Edge rusher Harold Landry III, who played at Boston College and under Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans, benefited from the aggressive play-calling with 2 1/2 sacks in his New England debut. Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025 The Jayhawks had decided, coach Lance Leipold said postgame, to run out the clock rather than trying to score in the final minute — a sharp departure from the aggressive play-calling KU had employed in the first quarter. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025 One owner blames the aggressive immigration enforcement near one of his restaurants. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2025 Both are aggressive during back-and-forths and are rarely risk-averse. Howard Fendrich, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
  • Some aspects of playing right-back suit Wieffer’s combative instincts.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Kennedy appears combative during testimony The three-hour hearing quickly became combative as Kennedy defended his time as HHS secretary amid a flurry of questions on his staffing shakeups, vaccine changes and other issues.
    Will McDuffie, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Although the Taiwanese chip titan has kicked off ambitious global expansion plans in the US, Japan and Germany, at least 80% of its production capacity will remain in Taiwan by 2030, according to TrendForce, a market research firm.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
  • As the season progresses, the stories do get more ambitious, and major errors—of reporting practice or of mere conscience—are generally avoided.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The left is always, at all times and places, a violent phenomenon full of hatred.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, has written about hurricanes, tornadoes and violent weather for more than 30 years.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump has been hostile to renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, and prioritizes fossil fuels for electricity.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter took it as a hostile act and approached Prescott, meeting face-to-face with him.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite fierce opposition to certain kids books by conservative activists, Maricopa County, which serves 144,000 library cardholders, received only 12 formal letters asking for reevaluation of library books and DVDs since 2021.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In August, the discontent grew when a leak showed that the White House's forthcoming MAHA strategy report would sidestep tougher limits on pesticides and other agrochemicals, bowing to fierce industry pressure.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • However, this doesn’t mean that someone with strong justice cannot be angry or vigorous about addressing injustices.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • And some blue states have been more vigorous about gerrymandering.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The contentious issue, which was regarded as a momentous turning point when it was adopted by the European Union in 2023, has been a hot topic at the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich this week.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • One of those was his contentious divorce with his first wife Denise Richards.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jeffrey Breinholt, an architect of the material support statutes who spent three decades as a federal terrorism prosecutor, defends the laws as crucial to closing loopholes that were exploited by foreign militant groups and their domestic sympathizers.
    Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Lellouche stars as unlikely hero Zem, a disillusioned Zone 3 cop with an idealistic militant past, who is teamed with haughty, high-flying Zone 2 officer Salia, played by Adèle Exarchopoulos, after a leading politician is assassinated in Zone 1.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on aggressive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!