1
as in aggressive
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal
some reef fish are assertive in defending their territory
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emphatic
marked by or uttered with forcefulness
after months of assertive declarations that he would not run for president, he announced he was running
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assertive
But those ties have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years as the US began to see an increasingly assertive and powerful China as a technological rival and a threat to its own superpower status.
—
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025
The uninhabited Senkaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands in China, are claimed by Beijing, which has intensified its assertive coast guard patrols since Tokyo nationalized the islands in 2012.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
More broadly—and perhaps most important in the long term—the Trump administration is less inclined to take on the assertive role that America has traditionally played in the Middle East, and which Israel has come to depend on.
—Daniel Byman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025
The uninhabited Senkaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands in China, are claimed by Beijing, which has intensified its assertive coast guard patrols since Tokyo nationalized the islands in 2012.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
More broadly—and perhaps most important in the long term—the Trump administration is less inclined to take on the assertive role that America has traditionally played in the Middle East, and which Israel has come to depend on.
—Daniel Byman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assertive
Adjective
-
Addressing the Obvious Critiques Yes, 3–4% real growth is aggressive.—
Don Muir,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
After the aggressive animal showed no signs of leaving, the woman’s boyfriend fatally shot it, officials said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Florida native has notched seven consecutive wins, with his last three title defenses all ending in emphatic second-round finishes.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
-
Later in the quarter, Haliburton leaked ahead for an emphatic transition dunk.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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The Counterfeit Opera arrives as part of Little Island’s commendably ambitious second season of summer programming.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
13 June 2025
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The $8 billion asking price, related by people close to the process, struck a few bidders as ambitious.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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That piece, and the book that would follow, has become a staple of environmental humanities classes for decades and still stirs vigorous classroom debate today.—
Daegan Miller
June 5,
Literary Hub,
5 June 2025
-
Media reports that Saudi Arabia will lift its decades-old ban on alcohol in select tourist zones have prompted the flare-up of a vigorous online debate in the conservative kingdom, with some voices in support and others in strong opposition.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Noni finds herself up against Lion’s violent henchmen and women in series of fight-to-the-death encounters aboard the tyrant’s grandiose sailing ship, which lies at the heart of a vast naval fleet.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
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The protests had been largely peaceful throughout Friday and Saturday, with isolated instances of violent activity.—
Michael Wilner,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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Raymond Saunders: Flowers From a Black Garden is a dynamic selection of the artist’s layered, mixed-media works that blend painting, drawing, and collage.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
4 June 2025
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The concept, known as dynamic breathability, the Australian Merino wool marketer said, reflects how well the material adapts to changing conditions.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assertive. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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