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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 The State Department’s summary of the meeting in Panama City, Mr. Rubio’s first with a foreign leader since becoming secretary of state, struck a tone that was sometimes aggressive. Michael Crowley, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025 The jokes fell flat, seeing that just down the road, thousands of protesters had gathered to combat President Trump’s aggressive policies against undocumented immigrants and promise of mass deportations. Thania Garcia, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025 If, instead, your Elon Musk is showing signs of aggressive behavior, such as biting, hitting, spitting, or creating the largest platform for disinformation in the world, this could be a cause for concern. Cora Frazier, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025 With how aggressive Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has been on fourth down, Fangio has to treat third down like second down. Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for aggressive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
  • Please, Baby, Please — the more ambitious of the two — boasted the return of Demi Moore, bringing her into the arthouse and paving the way for her career resurgence as the star of The Substance.
    Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Genomic sequencing, which deciphers the entire viral genome, is more ambitious.
    Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The confirmation dealt, at least symbolically, a powerful blow to the militant group, particularly since the elusive Deif was considered iconic among Hamas fighters for surviving multiple assassination attempts.
    Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Unusually, that handover was a joint affair between Hamas and several allied militant groups.
    Mick Krever, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Long before 17-year-old Solomon Henderson walked into his school cafeteria with a gun, authorities in Tennessee were alerted to his threatening and violent behavior.
    Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 8 Feb. 2025
  • What if, the thinking goes, the prospect of CTE becomes an excuse for any violent or criminal behavior?
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Bottom line By about five minutes into Zuckerberg’s prepared remarks, one thing was made perfectly clear: The fierce intensity he’s picked up in the octagon has made its way to the boardroom.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
  • In response, Israel launched a fierce air and ground war.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But several of Barker’s best moments and best performances have come in high-pressure games or in hostile atmospheres.
    Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
  • But what Briner sees as a way of enhancing opportunities for people and communities – defined in the law as social equity applicants – was viewed as hostile to those same applicants during testimony last week.
    Peter Callaghan, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • February 9, 1893: With pure, vigorous blood coursing through the veins and animating every fiber of the body, cold weather is not only endurance but pleasant and agreeable.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • In every sense: There's the sensitivity, redness, and texture that comes with late nights and vigorous face-scrubbing, along with the general cold-weather malaise.
    Vogue Club, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The film, which won big at the Golden Globes, was recently embroiled in controversy over its use of artificial intelligence in dialect, with Corbet giving an assertive defense of his performers amid the debate.
    Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • France’s strict media chronology rules have been a contentious issue for Disney with the company reluctant to sign up for official investment obligations and skipping theatrical releases for movies, such as Strange World in 2022, in protest at the previous 17-month window for Disney+.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2025
  • This hearing and a Thursday session before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions are expected to be contentious due to Kennedy's views on vaccines.
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near aggressive

Cite this Entry

“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on aggressive

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