as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
with viciously assaultive prose the writer takes on her critics
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Recent Examples of assaultive
How many times, in the throes of his illness, had he been taken into custody by police, accused of lewd or assaultive behavior, and locked in psych wards, only to be let out within days?
—
Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
The prosecutor also argued the incident was not the first for Veney involving alcohol or assaultive behavior.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 14 July 2023
Among the offenses that don't qualify for a ticket and require an arrest are serious misdemeanors, assaultive crimes and offenses involving domestic violence.
—Angie Jackson, Detroit Free Press, 1 Apr. 2021
Addi describes Konni as the leader of the gang, but Guðmundsson’s screenplay, so accurate at catching the assaultive language that is wielded like a defensive weapon even between close friends, puts Addi at its center: golden and good-looking, with something of a young Ryan O’Neal about him.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 24 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for assaultive
Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
The prosecutor also argued the incident was not the first for Veney involving alcohol or assaultive behavior.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 14 July 2023
Among the offenses that don't qualify for a ticket and require an arrest are serious misdemeanors, assaultive crimes and offenses involving domestic violence.
—Angie Jackson, Detroit Free Press, 1 Apr. 2021
Addi describes Konni as the leader of the gang, but Guðmundsson’s screenplay, so accurate at catching the assaultive language that is wielded like a defensive weapon even between close friends, puts Addi at its center: golden and good-looking, with something of a young Ryan O’Neal about him.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 24 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for assaultive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assaultive
Adjective
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Being too aggressive with your use of ice can damage your skin.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
22 July 2025
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Chantel’s aggressive, no-nonsense delivery clashed with Jackie’s passive-deflective tone, turning what could’ve been a breakthrough into yet another blow-up.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Assaultive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assaultive. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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