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
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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
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Recent Examples of assertive
The shift may not only draw anger from Israel's emboldened far right but also aggravate divisions within Trump's own administration between an old conservative guard seeking a more assertive posture on Iran and the rising cadre of Trump loyalists who more closely share the president's vision.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The comments by Alexander Stubb came as France was set to host a meeting to help firm up Europe's answer to assertive American diplomacy.
—Emma Burrows, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Feb. 2025
Akerman’s lovers are neither shy nor flamboyant but outwardly, practically assertive about the inner drives of their passions.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2025
The palate is full-bodied with dark chocolate, brown sugar, and an assertive black pepper and cinnamon spice profile.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The comments by Alexander Stubb came as France was set to host a meeting to help firm up Europe's answer to assertive American diplomacy.
—Emma Burrows, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Feb. 2025
Akerman’s lovers are neither shy nor flamboyant but outwardly, practically assertive about the inner drives of their passions.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2025
The palate is full-bodied with dark chocolate, brown sugar, and an assertive black pepper and cinnamon spice profile.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assertive
Adjective
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As Forbes previously reported, Flock has an aggressive expansion strategy, which has sometimes led it to risking breaches of the law.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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In fact, aggressive stretching can increase instability, putting more strain on the joint that can lead to pain and injury.—
Dana Santas,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Gators’ emphatic win Sunday against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament championship game ended the debate on whether the Gators would earn a No. 1 seed.—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2025
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This season, UConn has lost three games to top-level teams out of conference, but put itself back in the middle of the championship conversation with its emphatic win at South Carolina Feb. 16.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Musical series are rare in Spain, especially with such an ambitious format.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
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Faced with Nantucket’s strict building codes and an ambitious client wish list—including a car showroom, spa, gym, and indoor basketball court—the team at AD PRO Directory firm Workshop/APD recognized an opportunity to create something extraordinary.—
Kristen Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Apply Three Applications a Year For a dense lawn with good green color and moderate growth—as opposed to vigorous growth that demands mowing every four to five days during optimal conditions—fertilize your lawn in late spring, late summer, and again in late fall.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2025
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Its vigorous bubble and sharp clean taste makes Agua de Piedra great on its own or as the carbonated component of a nonalcoholic drink or cocktail.—
Khushbu Shah,
Bon Appétit,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Indiana Crime Guns Task Force was signed into law in 2021 and addresses violent crime in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, Johnson and Shelby counties, according to the Indiana General Assembly’s website.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
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The storm, which produced violent tornadoes, raging wildfires, and blinding dust storms, decimated homes, toppled vehicles, and left entire communities reeling from the devastation.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While intuition and experience play a role, relying solely on instinct and past knowledge is no longer sufficient in today’s dynamic business environment.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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Impressions of the week: A very dynamic week with a lot of shows, presentations, trade shows and showrooms with worldwide talents, from ready-to-wear to accessories.—
Rhonda Richford,
WWD,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assertive. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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