1
as in nonemphatic
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2
as in low-pressure
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Example Sentences
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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
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
-
When burned, the wood produces a rich, aromatic smoke due to high lignin levels, which imparts a more intense flavor than oak or hickory, with earthy cumin undertones and a mild sweetness.—
Von Diaz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Dec. 2025
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It’s finished with spinach and paired with the sticky, mild fufu.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Rinse the screen using a low-pressure hose or clean water and a cloth.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
8 June 2026
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Coughran disappeared in the popular recreation area near Lake Tahoe just as a low-pressure system descended on the region, plunging temperatures to near freezing.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Sarah felt quite lost and unclear and ambiguous in a way.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Dec. 2025
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But the episode's conclusion could also function as a suitably ambiguous ending.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
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
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Over 90 minutes, Messi was unusually unassertive: 32 touches, his lowest number internationally for 13 years.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
5 July 2024
Adjective
-
Roughly one in four new cars sold globally last year was electric, the International Energy Agency said in its latest annual global EV outlook, released in May, and that’s going to grow further this year despite a more sluggish start of the year.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
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The New York Fed analysis challenges the popular narrative that artificial intelligence is the primary driver of sluggish entry-level hiring.—
Bill Pan,
Baltimore Sun,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
At the time, it was largely viewed as a sleepy networking company for enterprise.—
R. Scott Raynovich,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Spoilers ahead for Every Year After Every Year After is the latest TV show to mine drama from a sleepy cottage town.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Then, around 30 minutes later, Frosty became glassy-eyed and lethargic, simply staring at Salazar and not responding immediately to any action.—
Ella Moore
May 26,
Miami Herald,
26 May 2026
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The Cavs looked lethargic, the building lacked energy because the home team gave them nothing to cheer for and now this erratic, inconsistent season could come to an end Monday night.—
Esfandiar Baraheni,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
My wife lowers her gaze as if tired, rubbing the side of her glass with her fingers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The first step is to avoid the tired trap of pitting a liberal arts education against a technical or practical one.—
Jamie Merisotis,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonassertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonassertive. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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