as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
with viciously assaultive prose the writer takes on her critics
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assaultive
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
How many times, in the throes of his illness, had he been taken into custody by police, accused of lewd or assaultive behavior, and locked in psych wards, only to be let out within days?
—Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for assaultive
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
How many times, in the throes of his illness, had he been taken into custody by police, accused of lewd or assaultive behavior, and locked in psych wards, only to be let out within days?
—Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for assaultive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assaultive
Adjective
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Anthony Bernon, 28, said Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about i the aggressive tactics being used by ICE and other federal agencies enforcing immigration policy.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
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Reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement going door to door have circulated, and so too have videos alleging profiling based on race and ICE's apparent aggressive tactics.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Israel and the Lebanese militant group exchanged fire for over a year before reaching a ceasefire in November 2024.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Iran has been plagued for years by staggering hyperinflation, fueled by Western sanctions imposed over the hardline clerical government's nuclear program and backing for militant groups across the region.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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For example, if one aircraft that looks like a civilian plane launches a missile, the enemy might have a reason to believe other civilian aircraft are potentially hostile.—
Eleanor Watson,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
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During the Cold War, administrations authorized CIA operations against hostile regimes engaged in subversion and criminal conduct.—
Timothy M. Herbst,
Hartford Courant,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assaultive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assaultive. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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