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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggressive
Shearer was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive mammary carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer, in 2022.
—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
These deciduous trees are invasive in many areas because of their aggressive roots that spread wide and far, and their tendency to take over native plants.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 July 2026
What a wildly aggressive detachment from the reality of a basketball game.
—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Harteveldt said American tends to be the most aggressive with discounts out of the three largest airlines in the country, but lack of competition in Charlotte poses its own risks.
—
Dj Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
These deciduous trees are invasive in many areas because of their aggressive roots that spread wide and far, and their tendency to take over native plants.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 July 2026
What a wildly aggressive detachment from the reality of a basketball game.
—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Harteveldt said American tends to be the most aggressive with discounts out of the three largest airlines in the country, but lack of competition in Charlotte poses its own risks.
—
Dj Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
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Fiber-optic, first-person view (FPV) drones have become a key weapon in the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah’s war against Israel in recent months – bypassing Israel’s sophisticated defense systems by duplicating an asymmetric warfare tactic that first emerged in the Russia-Ukraine war.
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Children of the 1960s may recall that even within the militant activist group, Students for Democratic Society (SDS), animus was frequently directed not at the establishment but at fellow antiwar advocates.
Adjective
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With ambitious Mars in your 2nd House of Resources sextiling lucky Jupiter in your 4th House of Home, money choices gather momentum and support.
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Holmes, 26, had ambitious plans for the winnings.
Adjective
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The march stems from the violent 1969 police raid of the Stonewall Inn that catalyzed the gay rights movement at a time when many people who were LGBTQIA+ hid their identity.
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Over the years, Hall has responded to emergencies ranging from domestic violence calls to serious violent crimes.
Adjective
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And until a Black commentator is held responsible for making openly hostile remarks about White people, nothing will change.
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For example, in March, the crypto exchange Kraken put its multibillion‑dollar IPO on hold amid hostile market conditions, according to CoinDesk.
Adjective
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The 2023 arrest of her then-10-year-old cousin for urinating in public brought fierce condemnation.
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For a party that prides itself on diversity, the clashes have exacerbated fierce debates over identity politics and long-standing rifts between progressives and moderates.
Adjective
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Dunlap notes that borage can grow to about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, while tomatoes are known for their vigorous growth.
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Levine Cava gave the golden-colored dog a vigorous pat on the head.
Adjective
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This is not so different from the Founders’ vision of democracy, in which a federal system with independent, coequal branches of government forces collisions of competing interests that can get contentious, even chaotic, before compromises are forged.
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But with the Turnberry Agreement finally finding its footing, a reopening of wounds and a reignition of a contentious trade battle has likely held little appeal for the EU.
Adjective
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This could be described as assertive or confident clothing, all of the designer’s work achieves drama while in its exceptionally flattering fit, and which somehow still looks and feels awfully comfortable.
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The good news is that the day progresses quickly, and Mercury in Cancer’s productive alignment to Mars in Taurus adds conviction and a refreshingly assertive tone to our conversations.
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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