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 What happened next, out of the public eye, also exemplifies the government’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement. Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025 Even so, the aggressive play in this post-season has stood out. Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 11 May 2025 However, thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, including predator control programs, habitat restoration, and breeding initiatives, several kiwi species have seen rebounds. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025 Even on Wall Street, which cheered higher pricing, the initial cost of Revlimid prompted concern among analysts who tracked the company that such aggressive maneuvering would cause insurers to push back. David Armstrong, CNN Money, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
  • Yet much larger and more ambitious clinical trials in humans are needed, Chassaing added.
    David Hilzenrath, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
  • Saudi Arabia's social and economic transformation agenda is particularly ambitious and expensive.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Israel blames civilian casualties on Hamas because the militant group operates from civilian areas.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
  • Saturday's summit comes two months after Israel ended a ceasefire reached with the Hamas militant group in January.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Europeans, Australians and Americans organized violent, racially motivated riots and lawmakers began enacting anti-Chinese immigration legislation, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
  • Some liberal critics on social media say that Republicans did not seem to take issue when the same slogan — or even more violent rhetoric — was targeted at a Democratic president.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
  • Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.
    Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • And Marguerite did actually manage to live there for years, scraping together a life on the hostile tundra.
    The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025
  • And this is a very hard-line government that has taken a kind of hostile view of everybody in the region.
    Obed Manuel, NPR, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • When thinning, aim to leave the strongest seedlings and remove less vigorous neighbors.
    Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 May 2025
  • Mow lawns often enough to keep turf at the proper height for vigorous growth.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • The iPhone 16 available on the site in all five colors: white, pink, black or the two standout colors, teal, which is a gently assertive shade that still manages to be relaxed and pastel, and ultramarine, which is eye-poppingly bright and attractive.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • Their concern was that a more assertive Germany would reawaken old fears about German militarism.
    Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • This is a flawed sin; trying to make something happen in a contentious area with a bunch of people who had their own history.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
  • On contentious problems like TikTok’s status in America, Trump has already bucked political orthodoxy, delaying a ban repeatedly to convince China to allow its sale.
    J. Tedford Tyler, Time, 17 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 29 May. 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!