1
as in combative
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Shearer was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive mammary carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer, in 2022.
—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
These deciduous trees are invasive in many areas because of their aggressive roots that spread wide and far, and their tendency to take over native plants.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 July 2026
What a wildly aggressive detachment from the reality of a basketball game.
—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Harteveldt said American tends to be the most aggressive with discounts out of the three largest airlines in the country, but lack of competition in Charlotte poses its own risks.
—
Dj Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
These deciduous trees are invasive in many areas because of their aggressive roots that spread wide and far, and their tendency to take over native plants.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 July 2026
What a wildly aggressive detachment from the reality of a basketball game.
—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Harteveldt said American tends to be the most aggressive with discounts out of the three largest airlines in the country, but lack of competition in Charlotte poses its own risks.
—
Dj Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
-
Yet Piker himself has followed the DSA’s militant line, repeatedly praising authoritarian regimes such as China’s, Cuba’s, and Russia’s, as well as terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
-
There are also concerns that fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon could escalate once more and derail future talks.
Adjective
-
Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.
-
Each scoop lifted tons of earth and rock as engineers raced to complete one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in history.
Adjective
-
Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, climate change and other news.
-
English soccer fans have earned a reputation for violent hooliganism, hurling plastic chairs and brawling their way across the piazzas and boulevards of Europe.
Adjective
-
And until a Black commentator is held responsible for making openly hostile remarks about White people, nothing will change.
-
For example, in March, the crypto exchange Kraken put its multibillion‑dollar IPO on hold amid hostile market conditions, according to CoinDesk.
Adjective
-
The 2023 arrest of her then-10-year-old cousin for urinating in public brought fierce condemnation.
-
For a party that prides itself on diversity, the clashes have exacerbated fierce debates over identity politics and long-standing rifts between progressives and moderates.
Adjective
-
Dunlap notes that borage can grow to about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, while tomatoes are known for their vigorous growth.
-
Levine Cava gave the golden-colored dog a vigorous pat on the head.
Adjective
-
These groups tackle politically contentious issues like immigration, human rights, and the environment.
-
However, the bill was so contentious that in order to squeak it through, legislators stuffed it full of carve-outs and exemptions, allowing cities to delay implementation by passing their own plans to add density.
Adjective
-
This could be described as assertive or confident clothing, all of the designer’s work achieves drama while in its exceptionally flattering fit, and which somehow still looks and feels awfully comfortable.
-
The good news is that the day progresses quickly, and Mercury in Cancer’s productive alignment to Mars in Taurus adds conviction and a refreshingly assertive tone to our conversations.
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
