1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in militant
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
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
Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 June 2025
The direct heat from the iron’s metal plate can be too aggressive on delicates but necessary for more structured or heavy-duty materials.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2025
Most recently the administration asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for downsizing the federal workforce despite multiple court rulings that congressional approval is needed to make such aggressive reductions.
—Ragan Whitlock, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
Addressing the Obvious Critiques Yes, 3–4% real growth is aggressive.
—Don Muir, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Adjective
With an acute focus on fighting back against Donald Trump‘s aggressive deportation raids, the movement coincides with the president’s controversial military parade in Washington meant to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 June 2025
The direct heat from the iron’s metal plate can be too aggressive on delicates but necessary for more structured or heavy-duty materials.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2025
Most recently the administration asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for downsizing the federal workforce despite multiple court rulings that congressional approval is needed to make such aggressive reductions.
—Ragan Whitlock, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
Addressing the Obvious Critiques Yes, 3–4% real growth is aggressive.
—Don Muir, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
-
The Counterfeit Opera arrives as part of Little Island’s commendably ambitious second season of summer programming.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
13 June 2025
-
President Trump signed legislation Thursday seeking to rescind California’s ambitious auto emission standards, including a landmark rule that eventually would have barred sales of new gas-only cars in California by 2035.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
The aid group accused Hamas of carrying out the assault; the militant group has not yet responded to the allegations.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
12 June 2025
-
Some activists have been criticized for spreading messages seen as antisemitic or outright supportive of militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
Swart said another giveaway is the hotel accommodations that are arranged for violent rioters.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2025
-
Any violent attack on law enforcement should be condemned.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Nevertheless, Infantino’s remarks show ambition to enact what would be a seismic change to how professional men’s soccer has operated in the United States.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
The damage to the nuclear facilities from Israeli and U.S. strikes and Israel's killing of nuclear scientists may well be a setback for nuclear weapons ambitions – which Iran had denied – such facilities can be rebuilt and Iran now has the know-how to be able to build nuclear weapons.—
Matthew Tostevin
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
The intensity extended to the coaching staff: Canales showed up to last Wednesday’s media session with a raspy voice.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
-
As the back-and-forth between Israel and Iran picks up in its intensity, with no end in sight, is there any way to de-escalate tensions in the Mideast before the situation worsens?—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
The Ukrainian president conceded that momentum for the Coalition of the Willing, a group of 31 countries that have pledged to strengthen support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, has slowed because of U.S. ambivalence over providing a backstop.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
-
These movements share essential elements: disdain for pluralism and diversity, fetishization of leadership, order and aggression, dismissal of the rule of law, and aversion to accountability.—
Elisa Manfredini,
Time,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Sanders’s Senate counterpart, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), is a fierce Trump critic.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
-
Meta’s big bet on Wang fits into CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plans to bolster his company’s AI efforts amid fierce competition from OpenAI and Google-parent Alphabet.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, Syria has turned from a fertile ground to a hostile one for Iran and its assets, after the Assad regime was toppled in December.—
Lina Khatib,
Time,
19 June 2025
-
By contrast, the U.S. had appeared openly skeptical and was often even seen as hostile.—
Ozan Ozerk,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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