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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggressive
The throttle and steering are more responsive and shifts grow more aggressive.
—
Mark Phelan, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Slaten was the first of six Red Sox relievers Cora used in a game managed with aggressive perfection.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Roeback also wrote about the imminent deployment of the National Guard to Memphis, drawing parallels to the aggressive policing of ICE and noting a recent fatal shooting in Chicago.
—Andrea Williams, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Sep. 2025
Linklater took a more aggressive directorial tack than usual, pushing Hawke to subtract any mannerisms that smacked too much of himself.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Mark Phelan, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Slaten was the first of six Red Sox relievers Cora used in a game managed with aggressive perfection.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Roeback also wrote about the imminent deployment of the National Guard to Memphis, drawing parallels to the aggressive policing of ICE and noting a recent fatal shooting in Chicago.
—Andrea Williams, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Sep. 2025
Linklater took a more aggressive directorial tack than usual, pushing Hawke to subtract any mannerisms that smacked too much of himself.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
-
In mythology, Mars is the god of war, known for its fierce and combative nature, and this is no exception in astrology.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Darcy said that when a person is resisting officers, their knowledge of the person having pre-existing medical conditions is not enough to prevent them from restraining someone combative.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This double release proves that their most ambitious and incisive work may still lie ahead.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Leadership has described ambitious targets.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Brown is particularly known for his roles in violent abolitionist efforts in the Pottawatamie Massacre and the raid on Harpers Ferry, a federal arsenal in West Virginia.—
Christopher Tremoglie,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The 2024 election campaign was Mexico’s most violent in modern history, with more than three dozen candidates assassinated and many others dropping out over threats to their safety.—
Daniel DePetris,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Students from the kingdom are increasingly turning away from US universities in particular, put off by a mix of hostile immigration policies, concerns over gun violence, and the kingdom’s own push to grow its domestic education sector.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The move to social media and algorithmic media was really a move toward a style of political communication that is somewhat hostile to the liberal project and the deliberative, open-minded, thoughtful, on-the-one-hand-on-the-other-hand mode of discourse that Obama is good at.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The global war for tech talent, especially AI talent, is already fierce, with some of the biggest companies offering all-star athlete-level salaries for the most desirable candidates, leaving startups struggling to recruit and hold onto talented staff.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
-
In mythology, Mars is the god of war, known for its fierce and combative nature, and this is no exception in astrology.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Adults need at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise per week, according to the World Health Organization.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The credit union gives back via vigorous associate volunteer work in community activities and organizations including Children Miracle Network and Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Crime Survivors, Hope Builders, KidWorks, Latinos in Action, NeighborWorks Orange County and OC United Way.—
Shawn Price,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The discovery renews scrutiny of Bolton’s handling of sensitive national security information and echoes long-standing concerns first raised during a contentious legal battle over his 2020 memoir.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
There is a contentious debate about AI in Hollywood.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And as increasingly militant voices in our culture have joined the ranks, the environment has become even more intolerant.—
Amy Stephens,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
-
In the story, Raina is a young Bulgarian woman who must choose between her militant fiancé, Sergius, and the kind, war-weary soldier Bluntschli, who has sought out refuge in her bedroom.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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