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
Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also been involved in the territorial standoffs but have avoided condemning China’s assertiveness.
—
Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
What Research Says About Quiet Leaders Although corporate stereotypes often favor extroverted traits in leadership, like assertiveness, research challenges that assumption.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Oswald’s timid Ludie is gentle, sad and almost childlike in his lack of assertiveness toward his wife.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
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
Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
What Research Says About Quiet Leaders Although corporate stereotypes often favor extroverted traits in leadership, like assertiveness, research challenges that assumption.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Oswald’s timid Ludie is gentle, sad and almost childlike in his lack of assertiveness toward his wife.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assertiveness
Noun
-
Historic volatility The Cboe Gold Volatility Index surged this month to its highest level since the Covid pandemic in 2020, reflecting the intensity of the metal’s recent volatility.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
These settings reduce the speed and intensity of the tumbling action, minimizing the likelihood of tangling.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Way, meanwhile, enjoys watching Katie’s aggressiveness.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Errington has an endearing likability and a sense of mischief, but more aggressiveness and overconfidence would better suit the character.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But his emphasis on economic freedoms suggested Washington sees the current crisis as leverage to push for market reforms that would loosen the military’s grip on the economy.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2026
-
When the emphasis shifts toward partisan interests, our society suffers.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assertiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assertiveness. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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