1
2
3

Try This Instead

For
Try This
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 That’s after Trump put his most aggressive tariff rates on hold and reached trade deals with the U.K. and China. Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 June 2025 But if a man’s cancer is aggressive, doctors typically take the prostate out, and that's when side effects enter the picture. Angela Haupt, Time, 27 June 2025 Fed Chair Jerome Powell, though, has advocated a more cautious approach, despite increasingly aggressive pressure from the president. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 27 June 2025 But even in Alberta, a province that has favored development, the legacy policies are still likely not aggressive enough to meet the moment. Mark Le Dain, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
  • Several sources described the interaction as heated and combative.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
  • When officers arrived, Jones allegedly became more agitated and combative.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Encoded in the machine's engineering was an ambitious globalism.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
  • The package is certain to be a flashpoint in next year’s midterm elections, and Democrats are making ambitious plans for rallies, voter registration drives, attack ads, bus tours and even a multi-day vigil, all intended to highlight the most controversial elements.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Dressed in a Versace shirt and gleaming gold chain, Shakur was still out on bond, still basking in the glow of stardom, brushing off a violent altercation with a Crip gang member inside a Sin City casino that had transpired just hours earlier after a Mike Tyson boxing match.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israel-backed group, has faced backlash over reports of violent and even deadly incidents around its secure sites.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Guzman’s book was used as a common reader by several universities in 2024, reflecting ongoing concerns about the often hostile, partisan gaps that have roiled many campuses in recent years.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • In the five years since the events of Jurassic World Dominion, many of the dinosaurs and other formerly extinct creatures that were set free into the world have died off, unable to survive in the modern climate and otherwise hostile environments.
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • To put that drop into context, Gates was the fifth richest person alive on July 3, highlighting the fierce (and sometimes erratic) battle to make it to the top 10.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025
  • With so many players in the game, the competition is simultaneously fierce and toothless.
    Todd Fisher, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • This vine, while beautiful, is a vigorous grower that spreads by self-seeding, layering, and runners.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
  • No better example of this can be found than in the absence of debate in the contemporary U.S. about the treatment of the Palestinians by the Israelis, whatever outcome such vigorous discussion might produce.
    James L. Gibson, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Hearing From The Other Side Like most important aspects of life, there are two sides to this contentious coin.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • One of the more contentious aspects of passing the bill was what to do with the cap on state and local tax deductions, or the SALT cap.
    Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Previous negotiations have stalled over Hamas demands of guarantees that further negotiations would lead to the war's end, while Netanyahu has insisted Israel would resume fighting to ensure the militant group's destruction.
    WAFAA SHURAFA, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
  • The Israeli leader has repeatedly said Hamas must be disarmed, but it is thought that this is something that the militant group has so far refused to discuss.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 11 Jul. 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!