1
as in aggressive
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal
some reef fish are assertive in defending their territory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emphatic
marked by or uttered with forcefulness
after months of assertive declarations that he would not run for president, he announced he was running
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assertive
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Elliott just tries to go with the flow, often making things worse by not being more assertive.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
Robert Birsel
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
With Hazard’s permission, Lauper dramatically rewrote the track, transforming it into a feminist statement emphasizing female desire, exuberance and assertiveness.
—Jessi Roti, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Adjective
India’s presence at the event is the most telling example yet of the warming ties between the two Asian powers – a budding realignment that threatens to undo years-long US efforts to cultivate New Delhi as a counterweight against a rising and increasingly assertive China.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Elliott just tries to go with the flow, often making things worse by not being more assertive.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
With Hazard’s permission, Lauper dramatically rewrote the track, transforming it into a feminist statement emphasizing female desire, exuberance and assertiveness.
—Jessi Roti, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assertive
Adjective
-
Understanding the Internal Operating System Many successful people operate on the assumption that more effort, more hours, and more aggressive strategies will inevitably create results.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Reckless driving, which typically involves a combination of speeding, distracted driving and erratic and aggressive behaviors, has remained a persistent issue across the state, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Or will the Eagles, who lost some key defensive pieces this offseason but retain their top players on both sides of the ball, open the season with an emphatic NFC East win at home?—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Several commenters expressed their support for him, saying emphatic no’s and doubling down on how funny the skit was.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The goal is to allow the fire to meet the holding features at the lowest possible fire intensity.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Its presence in the night sky on Saturday may make any auroras harder to see, but that does depends on their intensity.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Although the Taiwanese chip titan has kicked off ambitious global expansion plans in the US, Japan and Germany, at least 80% of its production capacity will remain in Taiwan by 2030, according to TrendForce, a market research firm.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
-
As the season progresses, the stories do get more ambitious, and major errors—of reporting practice or of mere conscience—are generally avoided.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Johnson’s vigorous off-ball movement and ability to put the ball on the floor to come off screens and attack close-outs for drive-and-kick assists to perimeter shooters, as well as to keep defenses rotating and connect offensive actions, looks to be a seamless fit with his new squad.—
Joel Rush,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
New ball crew members are selected through a vigorous tryout process that takes place in late June.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Before the Bucs' preseason finale, head coach Todd Bowles praised Sanders for his effort on special teams and his overall aggressiveness.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
The Detroit Tigers came into last offseason with some money to spend and a lot of aggressiveness.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers measured violent and property crime data from 2023, fatal car accidents, drug overdose deaths and excessive drinking rates.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat from Chicago’s 15th Ward, wants Trump to send the National Guard to his city because of the violent crime to which people in his city are subjected.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Saturday's opponent, Arkansas State, promises to have a much more dynamic attack with quarterback Jaylen Raynor and plenty of speed at the skill positions.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Argentina squad has continued to get younger and more dynamic.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assertive. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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