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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective assertive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assertive are aggressive, militant, and self-assertive. While all these words mean "obtrusively energetic especially in pursuing particular goals," assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion.

the more assertive speakers dominated the forum

When is it sensible to use aggressive instead of assertive?

While the synonyms aggressive and assertive are close in meaning, 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 militant a more appropriate choice than assertive?

The meanings of militant and assertive largely overlap; 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

In what contexts can self-assertive take the place of assertive?

While in some cases nearly identical to assertive, 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 assertive But those ties have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years as the US began to see an increasingly assertive and powerful China as a technological rival and a threat to its own superpower status. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 23 May 2025 In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism. Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025 The uninhabited Senkaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands in China, are claimed by Beijing, which has intensified its assertive coast guard patrols since Tokyo nationalized the islands in 2012. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 More broadly—and perhaps most important in the long term—the Trump administration is less inclined to take on the assertive role that America has traditionally played in the Middle East, and which Israel has come to depend on. Daniel Byman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for assertive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assertive
Adjective
  • But even in Alberta, a province that has favored development, the legacy policies are still likely not aggressive enough to meet the moment.
    Mark Le Dain, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • Bring the water to a gentle simmer (a boil is far too aggressive for poaching eggs).
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Florida native has notched seven consecutive wins, with his last three title defenses all ending in emphatic second-round finishes.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
  • Later in the quarter, Haliburton leaked ahead for an emphatic transition dunk.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Counterfeit Opera arrives as part of Little Island’s commendably ambitious second season of summer programming.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 June 2025
  • The $8 billion asking price, related by people close to the process, struck a few bidders as ambitious.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • That means doing your best to get in at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous exercise, along with two days of strength training, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
    Korin Miller, Flow Space, 16 June 2025
  • But that narrative hasn't stuck to Trump, who is known to ramble in public speeches but comes off as more vigorous to the public than Biden did.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 15 June 2025
Adjective
  • Noni finds herself up against Lion’s violent henchmen and women in series of fight-to-the-death encounters aboard the tyrant’s grandiose sailing ship, which lies at the heart of a vast naval fleet.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 June 2025
  • The protests had been largely peaceful throughout Friday and Saturday, with isolated instances of violent activity.
    Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Soon, such models may be able to account for the role played by environmental exposures and chance—offering a more dynamic, individualized map of risk.
    Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
  • Organizations that master this dynamic gain more than smoother project workflows.
    ESMT Berlin, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assertive. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.

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