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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 These policies, mapped by Newsweek, range from statements of condemnation to similarly aggressive tariffs on American goods. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025 Holtzman wrote the team had little, if any, aggressive plays during the game. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025 Trump prompts a more aggressive digital posture Democrats adopted a more combative stance online in recent weeks as Trump’s moves to slash the federal workforce drew protests from liberals and pushback at GOP town halls. Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025 As a result, teams are taking a more aggressive approach. Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
  • By December 2023, the private equity firm had taken a majority stake in the British business and set an ambitious expansion plan; targeting 350 outlets by 2031.
    Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • South Africa has broken ground on an ambitious smart city project named Westown, a multi-million-dollar development aimed at reshaping urban life in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, according to a recent report from CoinGeek.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And in Lebanon, a series of Israeli attacks on the country have decapitated the militant group Hezbollah.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The group wrote to Bondi to argue that the influencer should be investigated over whether she has been paid to spread propaganda for Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in Gaza, it was first reported by the New York Post.
    Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Bravo’s family said the 28-year-old was ending a violent relationship.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Adams said the pair had discussed how to combat violent migrant gangs and embedding more New York Police Department officers into federal task forces.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Jackson estate explicitly wanted nothing about Chandler in the film, so fact that the allegations do appear has led to a fierce internal dispute and extensive reshoots, Deadline has confirmed.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The bottom line: The total number of applicants nationwide remains below record highs seen in the 1990s, per the WSJ, but the year-over-year jump still means fierce competition for aspiring lawyers.
    Torey Van Oot, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Andreas typically waits until there have been three instances of potential hostile communication before asking her friend or colleague if everything is OK.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations – most of them from Afghanistan – Pakistan has not always welcomed the foreigners, subjecting them to hostile living conditions and threatening deportation over the years.
    Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These look sporty and have high side bolsters, which keep you firmly in place during vigorous driving.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Seedlings seem susceptible to diseases and not vigorous enough to form the new turf.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Cyber Force is a strategic reset—replacing reactive defense with assertive offense.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, all three of these studies come from a closely affiliated group of researchers, are based on the same dataset tracking maternal health, and use contentious measures of both IQ and fluoride exposure.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Policies around taxes, the federal budget and migration were widely seen as contentious points among the parties.
    Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on aggressive

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