NONASSERTIVE Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

nonassertive

adjective

Definition of nonassertive

as in nonemphatic

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in low-pressure

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 nonassertive People who knew Zhang described him to police as a nonassertive man who avoided conflict and typically acquiesced to his wife. — Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2021 Those who saw an assertive ad chose to allocate $7 of the gift card to the brand on average, compared with $14 for those who saw a nonassertive ad. — Alina Dizik, WSJ, 16 May 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonassertive

Adjective

The beat is steady and usually unemphatic; the song circles through three chords again and again.

— Jon Pareles, New York Times, 6 July 2018
This 1991 feature, the second by Mexican filmmaker Maria Novaro, is leisurely paced and unemphatic but firmly conceived and executed, with a lot of feeling for female solidarity.

— Patrick Friel, Chicago Reader, 17 Apr. 2018

Definition of unemphatic

Adjective

Natura’s small modular reactors are designed to deliver clean, reliable baseload power using liquid fuel and low-pressure operating conditions, according to the company.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Thanks to a series of upper-level low-pressure systems — kinks in the jet stream that bring down cooler temperatures from the north — California temperatures have remained below average so far this season.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of low-pressure

Adjective

In addition, for people who do get infected with COVID, Paxlovid may be prescribed for those with moderate or mild symptoms who may be at risk of more severe disease.

— Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026
However, that’s changing, as travelers continue to visit in milder months with fewer crowds.

— Chris Dong, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of mild

Adjective

This film, so seemingly unassertive, apparently rambling and plotless, has a devastating impact and aftershock.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Avoiding is unassertive and uncooperative, where an individual tends to give up on their own needs and acquiesce to the desires of others by disengaging from the situation altogether.

— Ellen Choi, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

Definition of unassertive

Adjective

The diabolical is ambiguous and often frankly sexy; the ridiculous is not.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Others require deep intelligence—analyzing complex financial information, generating code from ambiguous requirements or weighing competing factors.

— Nitin Gupta, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of ambiguous

Adjective

After a strong World Cup, Richards, like Palace, has gotten off to a sluggish and disappointing start to the season.

— Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The William Carter Company Children’s clothing brand Carter’s is undergoing a revamp to better align with the new generation of parents as its namesake company tries to recover from sluggish performance in recent years.

— Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of sluggish

Adjective

Talbots is on the move again after years of being among the sleepier brands in retail.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Long Beach Island offers sandy Atlantic beaches, sleepy residential enclaves, family-friendly attractions, and classic seafood spots without heading out East.

— Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of sleepy

Browse Nearby Words

nonartistic

nonassertive

nonathletic

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nonassertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonassertive. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of nonassertive

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nemesis

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes