as in intensity
the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression)
the assertiveness with which he voices his opinions intimidates some people
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Recent Examples of assertiveness
Advertisement The question is whether assertiveness in America’s backyard is mirrored by a cooling of interest elsewhere.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
The rookie big has earned minutes through defensive positioning, ball movement, and feel, but Fernández said the next step is assertiveness, especially as a shooter.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2026
And if Democrats win one or both chambers of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, the checks on the president would likely revert to historical norms—perhaps even returning to the congressional assertiveness of the immediate post-Watergate era.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
But any agreement reached will be just one touchstone in a thorny and volatile great power rivalry between the world’s superpower democracy and an authoritarian China, whose growing military assertiveness under Xi in the East and South China Seas is rattling US allies in the region.
—Betsy Klein, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Murray’s blend of assertiveness and steadiness, of style and substance, has been a defining trait behind that start.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
This shows your assertiveness, professionalism, and judgment, which are important for success in MMIs.
—Kristen Moon, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Living with Israel’s military assertiveness Israel, the unquestioned military power and sole nuclear weapons state in the region, has long posed particularly deep political dilemmas to Gulf Arab states.
—David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
The deployment signaled growing international assertiveness by the isolated state and highlighted its strong ties with Russia.
—Robert Birsel
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
The rookie big has earned minutes through defensive positioning, ball movement, and feel, but Fernández said the next step is assertiveness, especially as a shooter.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2026
And if Democrats win one or both chambers of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, the checks on the president would likely revert to historical norms—perhaps even returning to the congressional assertiveness of the immediate post-Watergate era.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
But any agreement reached will be just one touchstone in a thorny and volatile great power rivalry between the world’s superpower democracy and an authoritarian China, whose growing military assertiveness under Xi in the East and South China Seas is rattling US allies in the region.
—Betsy Klein, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Murray’s blend of assertiveness and steadiness, of style and substance, has been a defining trait behind that start.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
This shows your assertiveness, professionalism, and judgment, which are important for success in MMIs.
—Kristen Moon, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Living with Israel’s military assertiveness Israel, the unquestioned military power and sole nuclear weapons state in the region, has long posed particularly deep political dilemmas to Gulf Arab states.
—David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
The deployment signaled growing international assertiveness by the isolated state and highlighted its strong ties with Russia.
—Robert Birsel
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assertiveness
Noun
-
Coming out of halftime down 37-30, UALR ratcheted up its defensive intensity and forced several quick turnovers.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Add to this the intensity of puberty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The 2026 version of the San Diego Mojo is built on a blend of toughness and aggressiveness that shines through with a relentless defense that extends rallies and attempts to frustrate the offense on the other side of the net.—
Tim Meehan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Davion Mitchell’s defense and aggressiveness?—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In another audit, the city will review the Public Works Department, which oversees water and sewer operations and billing, with an emphasis on water management, infrastructure and service.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Subaru’s safety emphasis is promoted for human and animal occupants.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assertiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assertiveness. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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