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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
To be optimally protected from polio, health care experts recommend that children in Pakistan receive two doses of the injectable vaccine and at least three doses of the oral - an aggressive course aimed at interrupting transmission.
—
Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
Amador has outstanding bat speed, and is appropriately aggressive from both sides of the plate.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Trump’s aggressive tariffs on steel, aluminum and extensive lists of Chinese imports were a bold shift toward addressing the systemic imbalance, which some call protectionism, and were intended to revive and protect U.S. industries in the same way our trading partners operated.
—Alan Beard, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2025
The two were very aggressive from the start of the fight, with a lot of output.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
Amador has outstanding bat speed, and is appropriately aggressive from both sides of the plate.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Trump’s aggressive tariffs on steel, aluminum and extensive lists of Chinese imports were a bold shift toward addressing the systemic imbalance, which some call protectionism, and were intended to revive and protect U.S. industries in the same way our trading partners operated.
—Alan Beard, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2025
The two were very aggressive from the start of the fight, with a lot of output.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
-
By December 2023, the private equity firm had taken a majority stake in the British business and set an ambitious expansion plan; targeting 350 outlets by 2031.—
Kevin Rozario,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Expanding Capacity, Restoring Traditions The fellows have ambitious plans for their funding.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And in Lebanon, a series of Israeli attacks on the country have decapitated the militant group Hezbollah.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The group wrote to Bondi to argue that the influencer should be investigated over whether she has been paid to spread propaganda for Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in Gaza, it was first reported by the New York Post.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Related: Trump administration captured 'very violent' top street gang leader.—
Krystal Nurse,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Under the plan, the department will also combine two bureaus focused on arms control and eliminate units focused on countering violent extremism from the department’s counterterrorism bureau.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The documentary follows the story of Ángel, a charismatic boy with fierce love for his Guarani roots and a vision for his Paraguayan hometown of Nanawa.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The Battle of Okinawa lasted 82 days, with fierce fighting on land and sea.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
John Shine described to me a research trip to the hostile mountain environs of Tasmania, where snakes stay under cover except for the 20 or 30 warm days each year.—
Stephen S. Hall,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Union members shared other experiences and stories, including those of an increasingly hostile work environment for some.—
Molly Guthrey,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
One study showed that a maximum reduction in mortality could result from 150 to 300 minutes per week of vigorous activity, 300 to 600 minutes per week of moderate physical activity, or a combination of these.2 2.—
Amy Kwan,
Verywell Health,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Advocates of vigorous government oversight look upon the concept of federal preemption as a tool of deregulation.—
Glenn G. Lammi,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Practicing assertive communication — expressing needs clearly, calmly and respectfully — not only prevents the buildup of resentment, but also reinforces the relational norm that both partners’ experiences matter.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
-
In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Policies around taxes, the federal budget and migration were widely seen as contentious points among the parties.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
-
However, all three of these studies come from a closely affiliated group of researchers, are based on the same dataset tracking maternal health, and use contentious measures of both IQ and fluoride exposure.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share