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
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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
Robert Finch
june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025
As such, Beijing sees little to be gained by pulling back from its assertive activity in and around its waters.
—John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
Alyse Alan Louis stands apart from the rest of the actors since her character, Beth, is the least assertive and most insecure.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Whether his assertive approach will carry over to the Premier League is a legitimate question.
—Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Adjective
Though no longer lofty, at close range these mountains are still impressive and assertive, rising in sheer cliffs hundreds of feet high above the beating surf, bare rock capped by a thin layer of soil and long grassy turf, spilling dozens of small cascades over and down narrow ravines into the sea.
—Robert Finch
june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025
As such, Beijing sees little to be gained by pulling back from its assertive activity in and around its waters.
—John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
Alyse Alan Louis stands apart from the rest of the actors since her character, Beth, is the least assertive and most insecure.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Whether his assertive approach will carry over to the Premier League is a legitimate question.
—Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assertive
Adjective
-
Being too aggressive with your use of ice can damage your skin.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
22 July 2025
-
An aggressive hitter, Naylor can get extremely hot, and carry a team with drives to the gap or bombs over the fence.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
The 27-year-old has an emphatic game, which should play well in front of a crowd that figures to be favoring the hometown star.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
16 July 2025
-
The emphatic victory over Juventus means City topped its Club World Cup group with three wins from three games and will face Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the last 16 on Tuesday in Orlando.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Progress slowly: Gradually increase the intensity of your workouts to avoid overtraining.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
22 July 2025
-
The series started its action intensity high, with explosions, fist fights, hit-and-run accidents, and department moles in the first episode, but didn’t have anywhere to go from there.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Rice University, a private Tier 1 research institution in Houston, is launching an ambitious plan to grow student enrollment and financial aid, as part of a strategic expansion approved by the school's board of trustees to focus on opportunity and academic excellence, officials announced Monday.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Major casualties included a pioneering Tex-Mex spot in Clifton, a beloved Hungarian restaurant in Union Township and two ambitious Northern Kentucky restaurants that were less than two years old.—
Keith Pandolfi,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
During a vigorous cross examination, prosecutors parsed through his story, questioning him on his history with police officers.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
-
Adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity — like walking, dancing or gardening — or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week, Makarem added.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
-
The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Both are Aquarians, which had fans curious about how that dynamic works behind closed doors.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
22 July 2025
-
These shades help the warm, woven material stand out, creating a dynamic interplay that feels fresh yet grounded.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
The choice of materials reflects local characteristics, with an emphasis on both horizontal and vertical elements.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
25 July 2025
-
Carr’s stated emphasis on rebuilding trust in media is a stark break from past FCC leaders, and has been welcomed by conservative activists and derided by Democratic lawmakers in equal measure.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assertive. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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