Synonyms of aggressive

aggressive

adjective

ə-ˈgre-siv 

1

as in ambitious

having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal

if you don't take a more aggressive approach to this yard pretty soon, the weeds are going to take over completely

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ambitious
• fierce
• militant
• assertive
• vigorous
• adventurous
• in-your-face
• energetic
• high-pressure
• confident
• pushy
• daring
• enterprising
• dynamic
• belligerent
• self-assertive
• bold
• pugnacious
• combative
• warlike
• bellicose
• go-getting
• contentious
• self-asserting
• determined
• domineering
• emphatic
• truculent
• argumentative
• strenuous
• hustling
• quarrelsome
• hyperaggressive
• obtrusive
• overambitious
• unapologetic
• impudent
• gladiatorial
• insolent
• trigger-happy
• dominating
• feisty
• disputatious
• cocky
• gutsy
• adventuresome
• overconfident
• brassy
• bumptious
• cheeky
• venturous
• discordant
• emboldened
• brash
• audacious
• venturesome
• overbearing
• gung ho
• dashing
• unyielding
• presumptuous
• scrappy
• bare-knuckles
• cocksure
• forward
• imperious
• bare-knuckled
• magisterial
• unsubdued
• bare-knuckle
• lordly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unaggressive
• low-pressure
• unassertive
• unambitious
• easygoing
• relaxed
• docile
• nonassertive
• compliant
• amenable
• deferential
• submissive
• passive
• tractable
• acquiescent
• unenterprising
• mild
• timid
• yielding
• ambitionless
• modest
• shrinking
• quiet
• subdued
• resigned
• humble
• shy
• meek
• unobtrusive
• bashful
• laid-back
• reserved
• diffident
• lowly
• retiring
• demure
• mousy
• servile
• obsequious
• slavish
• subservient
• grovelling
• cringing
• groveling
• cowering
• mousey
• overmodest

2

as in militant

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight

a kindergarten teacher who discourages aggressive behavior, like pushing, by rewarding those children who wait their turn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• militant
• hostile
• contentious
• assaultive
• confrontational
• irritable
• belligerent
• combative
• pugnacious
• ugly
• warlike
• bellicose
• fierce
• acidic
• feisty
• vicious
• agonistic
• savage
• truculent
• argumentative
• scrappy
• quarrelsome
• rude
• chippy
• gladiatorial
• disputatious
• antagonistic
• discordant
• on the warpath
• fighting
• brawly
• cross
• petulant
• irascible
• disagreeable
• ornery
• warring
• battling
• surly
• snappish
• peevish
• hot-tempered
• testy
• fretful
• waspish
• querulous
• bilious
• grumpy
• grouchy
• bristly
• touchy
• choleric
• fractious
• dyspeptic
• huffy
• crabby
• ill-tempered
• pettish
• stroppy
• bearish
• ill-humored
• prickly
• cranky
• ill-natured
• snappy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonaggressive
• peaceful
• peaceable
• pacific
• friendly
• pleasant
• benevolent
• amiable
• unwarlike
• conciliatory
• gracious
• nonbelligerent
• easygoing
• cordial
• amicable
• affable
• good-natured
• sociable
• uncontentious
• quiet
• complaisant
• genial
• calm
• ingratiating
• unbelligerent
• kindhearted
• uncombative
• obliging
• mild
• gentle
• benign
• serene
• relaxed
• tranquil
• antimilitarist
• anti-imperialist
• good-tempered
• kindly

3

as in violent

marked by or uttered with forcefulness

the team's game strategy depends on a very aggressive style of defense

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violent
• vigorous
• emphatic
• dynamic
• forceful
• energetic
• assertive
• insistent
• muscular
• vehement
• strenuous
• compelling
• clear
• striking
• pointed
• marked
• full-blooded
• decided
• resounding
• conspicuous
• noticeable
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• plain
• categorical
• absolute
• categoric
• arresting
• impelling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• weak
• unemphatic
• nonassertive
• ambiguous
• guarded
• hesitant
• equivocal
• understated
• nonemphatic
• wishy-washy
• uncompelling
• halting

Try This Instead

For

Try This

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

Recent Examples of aggressive

The frantic, aggressive push to fire workers and gut spending has already upended dozens of lives across the Kansas City region, leaving disoriented ex-employees to try to pick up the pieces. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025

With her outfit switched up to a leather bustier and hot pants combo, Lizzo enjoys being the center off attention until her high starts to turn and the once-friendly dancers get aggressive, things get a bit blurry and the faces around her get zombie-fied. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2025

New numbers show 52% of detainees were originally arrested by ICE compared to 48% first apprehended by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), signaling how aggressive the Trump administration is turning toward the interior of the nation for immigration enforcement. —Russell Contreras, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025

The lessons learned in that recovery could help Nvidia improve execution on its annual roadmap for new data-center AI chips — an important competitive advantage over rivals, if the company can live up to such an aggressive timeline. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025