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
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
aggressive behavior
an aggressive approach
an aggressive treatment
an intense treatment
a vigorous treatment
an accelerated treatment
a rigorous treatment
an extreme treatment
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggressive
The Democratic Governors Association on Friday called for an aggressive retaliatory response that matches Texas‘s redistricting efforts designed to build the House Republicans’ narrow majority.
—
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 2 Aug. 2025
Then, in typical Yankee luck, a swinging bunt was put into no-man’s land, and an aggressive Edwards scored for the victory.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2025
In making those additions, Philadelphia’s Dave Dombrowski and San Diego’s A.J. Preller were living up to long-standing reputations for aggressive midseason action.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Being too aggressive with your use of ice can damage your skin.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 2 Aug. 2025
Then, in typical Yankee luck, a swinging bunt was put into no-man’s land, and an aggressive Edwards scored for the victory.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2025
In making those additions, Philadelphia’s Dave Dombrowski and San Diego’s A.J. Preller were living up to long-standing reputations for aggressive midseason action.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Being too aggressive with your use of ice can damage your skin.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
-
Installed throughout Wembley Park–including along Olympic Way and outside Wembley Stadium–the exhibition provides a rare glimpse into the early relationship between the famously combative siblings who powered Oasis to global stardom.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
Jorge became combative and tried to get police to leave the apartment, but she was taken into custody.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
There are a lot of extremely small, well-funded, and ambitious businesses out there.—
Joe McKendrick,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Rice University, a private Tier 1 research institution in Houston, is launching an ambitious plan to grow student enrollment and financial aid, as part of a strategic expansion approved by the school's board of trustees to focus on opportunity and academic excellence, officials announced Monday.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
-
As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Five days later, on July 8, an attorney for the city manager submitted a letter of potential claim against the city citing defamation, harassment and creation of a hostile work environment.—
Anita Edmondson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
-
In early October 2022, the ruling said, McCarty filed a hostile work environment complaint with the police department.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
In the last few years, fierce controversies have often been sparked by commercials, with commentators seemingly viewing ad campaigns as the battleground for a never-ending culture war.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
In the barrios of the American Southwest, chola girls perfected their look with dark lip liner, oversized flannels, and nameplate earrings, styling themselves with fierce precision that both declared loyalty and warded off erasure.—
Alexandra Jane,
Essence,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
During a vigorous cross examination, prosecutors parsed through his story, questioning him on his history with police officers.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
-
Adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity — like walking, dancing or gardening — or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week, Makarem added.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
Although sometimes contentious, his most recent appearance lacked the acrimony from lawmakers who had accused the director and the lottery's oversight board of misleading the Legislature about the courier companies.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
In a blowout 90-to-8 vote earlier this week, most Senate Democrats voted to open floor debate on the chamber’s first spending bill of the year, a typically less contentious measure covering military construction projects and veterans programs.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Israel declared war on Hamas after the militant group's soldiers launched a surprise attack on the Jewish state, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Trump has been uniquely willing to break with Israel on many issues—for instance, by making deals with the Houthi militant group in Yemen and opening a diplomatic dialogue with Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Shara, despite his past alignment with al-Qaeda.—
ZAHA HASSAN,
Foreign Affairs,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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