aggressive

adjective

ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgre-siv 

1

a

: tending toward or exhibiting aggression

aggressive behavior

b

: marked by combative readiness

an aggressive fighter

2

a

: marked by obtrusive energy and self-assertiveness

a rude, aggressive personality

b

: marked by driving forceful energy or initiative : enterprising

an aggressive salesman

3

: strong or emphatic in effect or intent

aggressive colors

aggressive flavors

4

: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly

aggressive bone tumors

5

: more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent

aggressive chemotherapy

aggressively adverb

aggressiveness noun

aggressivity

ˌa-ˌgre-ˈsi-və-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• ambitious
• assertive
• enterprising
• fierce
• go-getting
• high-pressure
• in-your-face
• militant
• pushy
• self-asserting
• self-assertive

Choose the Right Synonym for aggressive

aggressive, militant, assertive, self-assertive 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

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

assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion.

the more assertive speakers dominated the forum

self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence.

a self-assertive young upstart

Examples of aggressive in a Sentence

He started to get aggressive and began to shout.

an aggressive lawyer whose tactics have made people angry

The team plays a very aggressive style of defense.

The company took aggressive steps to prevent illegal use of their equipment.

The publisher has been very aggressive in promoting the book.

The city began an aggressive campaign to encourage recycling.

an aggressive form of cancer

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts point to several long-term strengths, like the U.S.’ labor market flexibility and robust capital markets, as well as more recent or short-lived dynamics, including growing energy independence and an aggressive monetary and fiscal response to COVID-19. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 June 2024

Fire signs, which are typically characterized as being passionate, impulsive and action-oriented, can feel aggressive to the more sensitive Cancer. —Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 22 June 2024

The Orioles have adeptly selected their times to be aggressive on the bases After more than three hours of tense back and forth Wednesday night in the Bronx, the Orioles finished the Yankees not with their trademark power but with base running elan. —Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 21 June 2024

Ashcroft, the son of former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, has both emphasized the family connection while also pitching himself as an aggressive outsider. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin aggressīvus, from Latin aggressus, past participle of aggredī "to step up to, approach, attack" + -īvus -ive — more at aggress

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing aggressive

• hyper-aggressive
• passive-aggressive

Kids Definition

aggressive

adjective

ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgres-iv 

1

a

: showing readiness to attack

an aggressive dog

b

: practicing aggression

an aggressive nation

2

: being forceful in getting things done

an aggressive sales campaign

3

: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly

aggressive weeds

aggressively adverb

aggressiveness noun

Medical Definition

aggressive

adjective

ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgres-iv 

1

: tending toward or exhibiting aggression

aggressive behavior

2

: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly

aggressive bone tumors

3

: more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent

aggressive chemotherapy

aggressive surgical intervention

compare conservative

aggressively adverb

aggressiveness noun

aggressivity

ˌag-ˌre-ˈsiv-ət-ē 

noun

plural aggressivities