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
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Recent Examples of aggressive
Reports of tourists being detained for weeks or turned back at the border have increased under Trump, as well as reports of aggressive immigration enforcement that has sent chills down the backs of millions worldwide.
—
Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 2 June 2025
Later, Maye got more aggressive by connecting with Boutte on a deep corner route and Chism and Douglas on separate dig routes.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 2 June 2025
Indiana was also overhauling its defense, learning how to execute simpler yet more aggressive schemes with personnel better suited to defend than the team the Pacers put on the floor in 2023-24 — a team that, yes, made the Eastern Conference finals despite its defensive struggles.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 2 June 2025
The 82-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, the second most common cancer among men, with 1 in 8 being diagnosed in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 2 June 2025
Later, Maye got more aggressive by connecting with Boutte on a deep corner route and Chism and Douglas on separate dig routes.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 2 June 2025
Indiana was also overhauling its defense, learning how to execute simpler yet more aggressive schemes with personnel better suited to defend than the team the Pacers put on the floor in 2023-24 — a team that, yes, made the Eastern Conference finals despite its defensive struggles.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 2 June 2025
The 82-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, the second most common cancer among men, with 1 in 8 being diagnosed in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
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With its reputation as a culinary destination solidified, the InterContinental Danang just opened another ambitious fine-dining restaurant, Tingara.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2025
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The stricken destroyer was the country’s newest warship and was meant to be a triumph of North Korea’s ambitious naval modernization effort.—
Mike Valerio,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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In December, after years of stalemate in the war, Assad’s long-standing authoritarian regime collapsed, in the face of an unexpected offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist militant group once affiliated with al-Qaida.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
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In response to the vote, Iraqi troops retook vast swathes of territory seized by Kurdish forces during their joint fight against the Islamic State militant group (ISIS).—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The prosecution appears poised to use Combs' feud with Knight, as well as another series of encounters with rapper Kid Cudi, as demonstrative of a violent streak.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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This sweeping action included both nonviolent participants and those convicted of violent crimes against law enforcement.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.—
Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Some of countries in the continent that are rich in uranium, such as Niger and Gabon, may be delicate or difficult to deal with in the near term as both underwent military coups recently, with Niger turning hostile toward the French and more toward the Russians.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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The game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET and Pacers fans are sure to bring the energy and create a hostile atmosphere for New York.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 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
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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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In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2025
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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
Adjective
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This public WiFi hijacking threat is almost as contentious as juice-jacking amongst cyber experts.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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In that same post, Swift highlighted her contentious history with Braun, largely via his work with her longtime foe, Kanye West.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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