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aggressive behavior
assertive behavior
hostile behavior
belligerent behavior
violent behavior
dominant behavior
an aggressive approach
a proactive approach
a vigorous approach
a strong approach
an active approach
an assertive approach
an aggressive treatment
an intense treatment
a vigorous treatment
an accelerated treatment
a rigorous treatment
an extreme treatment

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective aggressive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of aggressive are assertive, militant, and self-assertive. While all these words mean "obtrusively energetic especially in pursuing particular goals," aggressive implies a disposition to dominate often in disregard of others' rights or in determined and energetic pursuit of one's ends.

aggressive in his business dealings

When is assertive a more appropriate choice than aggressive?

Although the words assertive and aggressive have much in common, assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion.

the more assertive speakers dominated the forum

In what contexts can militant take the place of aggressive?

In some situations, the words militant and aggressive are roughly equivalent. However, militant also implies a fighting disposition but suggests not self-seeking but devotion to a cause, movement, or principle.

militant protesters rallied against the new law

Where would self-assertive be a reasonable alternative to aggressive?

The words self-assertive and aggressive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence.

a self-assertive young upstart

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 aggressive What happened next, out of the public eye, also exemplifies the government’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement. Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025 Even so, the aggressive play in this post-season has stood out. Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 11 May 2025 However, thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, including predator control programs, habitat restoration, and breeding initiatives, several kiwi species have seen rebounds. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025 Even on Wall Street, which cheered higher pricing, the initial cost of Revlimid prompted concern among analysts who tracked the company that such aggressive maneuvering would cause insurers to push back. David Armstrong, CNN Money, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
  • Musk has seemingly pushed back the deadline for the $1 trillion in savings, as the billionaire Tesla chief said in March the ambitious cuts would be completed in roughly two months.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • The stricken destroyer was the country’s newest warship and was meant to be a triumph of North Korea’s ambitious naval modernization effort.
    Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • The ceasefire plan, which has been approved by Israeli officials, won a cool initial reaction Thursday from the militant group, but President Donald Trump said Friday that negotiators were nearing a deal.
    ABDEL KAREEM HANA, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
  • In December, after years of stalemate in the war, Assad’s long-standing authoritarian regime collapsed, in the face of an unexpected offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist militant group once affiliated with al-Qaida.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Yet the Brazilian proceeded to show how Pereira’s faith was misplaced, first with a stroppy performance at Chelsea that prompted his head coach to publicly criticise his body language and then with his second violent meltdown of the season, against Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez in the FA Cup.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Individual plots veer between cartoonish farce (the gang accidentally makes friends with a violent criminal) and more mundane problems (Billie loses her insurance and gets into medical debt).
    Alison Herman, Variety, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.
    Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Some of countries in the continent that are rich in uranium, such as Niger and Gabon, may be delicate or difficult to deal with in the near term as both underwent military coups recently, with Niger turning hostile toward the French and more toward the Russians.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • The game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET and Pacers fans are sure to bring the energy and create a hostile atmosphere for New York.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • When thinning, aim to leave the strongest seedlings and remove less vigorous neighbors.
    Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 May 2025
  • Mow lawns often enough to keep turf at the proper height for vigorous growth.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism.
    Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025
  • The uninhabited Senkaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands in China, are claimed by Beijing, which has intensified its assertive coast guard patrols since Tokyo nationalized the islands in 2012.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • This public WiFi hijacking threat is almost as contentious as juice-jacking amongst cyber experts.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • In that same post, Swift highlighted her contentious history with Braun, largely via his work with her longtime foe, Kanye West.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on aggressive

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