1
as in aggressive
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal
we need to hire self-assertive salespeople who don't require constant supervision
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
after the interview, we chose a less self-assertive and more self-effacing applicant
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Recent Examples of self-assertive
The Oxford English Dictionary cites an early use of the term by psychologist David Bakan, who used it in a 1966 essay to describe the self-assertive qualities of the psyche.
—
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
And while the visions of uncannily artificial paradise might recall Rousseau, or the curvy, geometrically rounded bodies suggest the work of Colombian Fernando Botero, Angulo’s young women appear more self-aware and self-assertive than the subjects of either of those artists.
—Benjamin Lima, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The only really odious members of the party will, of course, be those termed the Young, who are almost certain to prove fast, rude, and self-assertive.
—Nancy Mitford, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2023
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
And while the visions of uncannily artificial paradise might recall Rousseau, or the curvy, geometrically rounded bodies suggest the work of Colombian Fernando Botero, Angulo’s young women appear more self-aware and self-assertive than the subjects of either of those artists.
—Benjamin Lima, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The only really odious members of the party will, of course, be those termed the Young, who are almost certain to prove fast, rude, and self-assertive.
—Nancy Mitford, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-assertive
Adjective
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Brvenik, 44, was diagnosed in 2024 with leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Your sense of self takes the lead as the Moon, presently in your sign, opposes aggressive Mars across your partnership zone.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The rabbi is ornery, arrogant, sometimes cruel.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
German carrier Lufthansa is pursuing its own ambitious reset.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
28 Mar. 2026
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Perched just beyond the Bay Area’s eastern edge, this expanse of fields, orchards, subdivisions and big-box stores offers few opportunities for ambitious young professionals interested in industries such as tech and finance.—
Connor Letourneau,
San Francisco Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Nothing except getting into fierce arguments with fellow-Jews, some would say, which Olitzky—who has a round, boyish face and a conciliatory manner—portrayed as a privilege rather than a burden.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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With one-of-a-kind offerings from the likes of Inglenook, Crocker & Starr, Amici Cellars, Peju, Long Meadow Ranch, and a collaboration between Dakota Shy and Detert Family Vineyards, bidding was fierce on Cabernet Franc.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-assertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-assertive. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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