Synonyms of aggressive

aggressive

adjective

ə-ˈgre-siv 

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

• combative
• hostile
• contentious
• militant
• confrontational
• assaultive
• irritable
• belligerent
• pugnacious
• ugly
• warlike
• bellicose
• fierce
• acidic
• feisty
• vicious
• agonistic
• savage
• truculent
• argumentative
• scrappy
• quarrelsome
• rude
• chippy
• gladiatorial
• disputatious
• antagonistic
• discordant
• on the warpath
• fighting
• brawly
• cross
• petulant
• irascible
• disagreeable
• ornery
• warring
• battling
• surly
• snappish
• peevish
• hot-tempered
• testy
• fretful
• waspish
• querulous
• bilious
• grumpy
• grouchy
• bristly
• touchy
• choleric
• fractious
• dyspeptic
• huffy
• crabby
• ill-tempered
• pettish
• stroppy
• cranky
• bearish
• ill-humored
• prickly
• ill-natured
• snappy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonaggressive
• peaceful
• peaceable
• pacific
• friendly
• pleasant
• benevolent
• amiable
• unwarlike
• conciliatory
• gracious
• nonbelligerent
• easygoing
• cordial
• amicable
• affable
• good-natured
• sociable
• uncontentious
• quiet
• complaisant
• genial
• calm
• ingratiating
• unbelligerent
• kindhearted
• uncombative
• obliging
• mild
• gentle
• benign
• serene
• relaxed
• tranquil
• antimilitarist
• anti-imperialist
• good-tempered
• kindly

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

• ambitious
• fierce
• militant
• assertive
• vigorous
• adventurous
• in-your-face
• energetic
• high-pressure
• confident
• pushy
• daring
• enterprising
• dynamic
• belligerent
• self-assertive
• bold
• pugnacious
• combative
• warlike
• bellicose
• go-getting
• contentious
• self-asserting
• determined
• domineering
• emphatic
• truculent
• argumentative
• strenuous
• hustling
• quarrelsome
• hyperaggressive
• obtrusive
• overambitious
• unapologetic
• impudent
• gladiatorial
• insolent
• trigger-happy
• dominating
• feisty
• disputatious
• cocky
• gutsy
• adventuresome
• overconfident
• brassy
• bumptious
• cheeky
• venturous
• discordant
• emboldened
• brash
• audacious
• venturesome
• overbearing
• gung ho
• dashing
• unyielding
• presumptuous
• scrappy
• bare-knuckles
• cocksure
• forward
• imperious
• bare-knuckled
• magisterial
• unsubdued
• bare-knuckle
• lordly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unaggressive
• low-pressure
• unassertive
• unambitious
• easygoing
• relaxed
• docile
• nonassertive
• compliant
• amenable
• deferential
• submissive
• passive
• tractable
• acquiescent
• unenterprising
• mild
• timid
• yielding
• ambitionless
• modest
• shrinking
• quiet
• subdued
• resigned
• humble
• shy
• meek
• unobtrusive
• bashful
• laid-back
• reserved
• diffident
• lowly
• retiring
• demure
• mousy
• servile
• obsequious
• slavish
• subservient
• grovelling
• cringing
• groveling
• cowering
• mousey
• overmodest

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

• violent
• vigorous
• emphatic
• dynamic
• forceful
• energetic
• assertive
• insistent
• muscular
• vehement
• strenuous
• compelling
• clear
• striking
• pointed
• marked
• full-blooded
• decided
• resounding
• conspicuous
• noticeable
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• plain
• categorical
• absolute
• categoric
• arresting
• impelling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• weak
• unemphatic
• nonassertive
• ambiguous
• guarded
• hesitant
• equivocal
• understated
• nonemphatic
• wishy-washy
• uncompelling
• halting

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

Recent Examples of aggressive

Given that her cancer was hormone-fed — estrogen positive, progesterone positive, and HER2 positive — Shahi required immediate aggressive treatment. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

Beginning this summer, Meta embarked on an aggressive hiring spree to recruit top AI talent to close the gap with OpenAI and other AI startups, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly has grown frustrat ed with the company’s AI standing. —Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025

The longtime Homeland Security official spearheaded the immigration enforcement crackdown in Los Angeles and is seen as directing the agents' aggressive tactics in Chicago. —Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025

This time, Netflix’s movie group wanted to take charge, but Blumhouse was more aggressive, loving the idea of a world where children can see monsters, but adults cannot. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025