as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
with viciously assaultive prose the writer takes on her critics
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assaultive
The record indicates that the instant offense has elements of brutality, violence, assaultive behavior or conscious selection of victim's vulnerability indicating a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety.
—
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
The effect is assaultive but clever, jolting listeners’ reflexes and then toying with their attention.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
There were no observed overt assaultive acts or movements displayed by [the man] on the video.
—Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 18 Feb. 2025
Even in the face of assaultive public opinion, there is nothing to add.
—Paolo Armelli, WIRED, 1 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for assaultive
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
The effect is assaultive but clever, jolting listeners’ reflexes and then toying with their attention.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
There were no observed overt assaultive acts or movements displayed by [the man] on the video.
—Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 18 Feb. 2025
Even in the face of assaultive public opinion, there is nothing to add.
—Paolo Armelli, WIRED, 1 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for assaultive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assaultive
Adjective
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Senior defender Adriana Warrington and sophomore defender Corinne Faivre anchor aggressive back line.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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Shapiro framed the work as a necessary step in the fight against biodiversity loss, arguing that conservation science may require more aggressive solutions as biodiversity declines.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban government of harboring Pakistani militant groups -- mainly the Pakistani Taliban -- that cross the porous volatile border between the two countries to stage attacks against Pakistani forces and also of allying with its archrival, India.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
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Among the most prominent Islamic militant groups are Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, which is affiliated with the Islamic State group and known as Islamic State West Africa Province.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Preparing well as a team is the Tommies’ primary order of business until the puck is dropped in what is sure to be a hostile environment for the visitors.—
Dean Spiros,
Twin Cities,
18 Mar. 2026
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Later that year, local outlet Washington City Paper also reported on allegations of a hostile work environment under Pettigrew.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assaultive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assaultive. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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