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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity
because of the mayor's aggressiveness in tackling problems, there have been significant changes for the better
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intensity
the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression)
has the aggressiveness one needs to pursue a career in show business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
male bettas, known for their aggressiveness, are best raised alone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
aggressive behavior
an aggressive approach
an aggressive treatment
an intense treatment
a vigorous treatment
an accelerated treatment
a rigorous treatment
an extreme treatment
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggressive
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Wired's report suggested that some federal workers are uncomfortable not just with the Trump administration's aggressive pace in forcing AI adoption, but also with the price of the products agencies are being required to use.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
The federal government’s aggressive intervention in the nation’s capital has angered many city residents.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
The corporation counsel must be aggressive in going after companies that cheat city laws.
—Harvey Epstein, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Adjective
In 2024-25, Bournemouth tied its best Premier League result, finishing ninth, with an aggressive, risk-taking style of play that won it many converts.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Wired's report suggested that some federal workers are uncomfortable not just with the Trump administration's aggressive pace in forcing AI adoption, but also with the price of the products agencies are being required to use.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
The federal government’s aggressive intervention in the nation’s capital has angered many city residents.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
The corporation counsel must be aggressive in going after companies that cheat city laws.
—Harvey Epstein, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
-
Of course, the increasingly partisan, combative, and at times, chaotic atmosphere had infiltrated the modern Congress before Johnson or his Senate counterpart, Majority Leader John Thune, took the gavel.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Instead, the parties have yet to even reach an agreement for the contract that expired in 2022, and the union is taking a more publicly combative tone ahead of arbitration.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Below, Christopher tells PEOPLE about his ambitious career goals, talks about his love for action movies, and much more.—
Nigel Smith,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Investors who understand the aspirations of this next generation digitally fluent, globally ambitious, and culturally rooted can build enduring franchises.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Year-to-date violent crime, as of Aug. 5, is down 26% compared to the year before, and the 2024 figure dropped 35% from 2023.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
-
There ended up being a fire in the shop, and police discovered the victims (again, content warning for a violent crime), naked, tied up, burned, shot in the head with at least one of them having been raped.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Their ambitions meshed; both were almost mystically persuasive, and stubborn too.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Alex Beutel, safety research lead, gave the example of a query about the burning temperature of a certain material, saying that such an interest could stem from terrorist ambitions or homework.—
Eliza Strickland,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
La Costa’s group fitness classes span everything from yoga, spin, and Pilates to power boxing, high intensity interval training, and cardiovascular boot camp.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Cuomo would also have to demonstrate to the public how detrimental a Mamdani win would be to New York City and the Democratic Party, and deliver a higher level of intensity and passion in his messaging.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Putin is a war criminal, guilty of the worst aggression in Europe since World War II.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The statistics — more passes, more involvement in build-up, better aerial aggression — reinforce what the eye test shows.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In recent weeks, both have also moved military forces to the border near Assab and are engaging in escalating exchanges of hostile rhetoric.—
Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Aug. 2025
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Meanwhile, Trump has moved closer to Pakistan, with which India has hostile relations and the U.S. has historically had a complex and sometimes tense relationship, especially as Pakistan has grown closer to and is primarily armed by China.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Nonetheless, the show’s premiere provides the perfect moment to map out the slimy, menacing world of Ellen Ripley and company in their epic battle against one of the galaxy’s fiercest creatures.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
-
On a subsequent rally, Kaylee smacked a fierce shot past me, scoring her team a point.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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