1
as in combative
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
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Recent Examples of aggressive
And signs have emerged that the White House may be misreading Trump’s election mandate and the political moment, with new polls showing public sentiment turning nationwide on the president’s increasingly aggressive enforcement tactics.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
The president—an aggressive critic of Powell’s interest rate policy—offered no evidence that Powell had said anything wrong.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Given that border-crossing numbers have plummeted, just meeting this 3,000-per-day target will require far more aggressive enforcement in non-border communities nationwide.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2025
The bees became aggressive and stung the man multiple times.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
The president—an aggressive critic of Powell’s interest rate policy—offered no evidence that Powell had said anything wrong.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Given that border-crossing numbers have plummeted, just meeting this 3,000-per-day target will require far more aggressive enforcement in non-border communities nationwide.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2025
The bees became aggressive and stung the man multiple times.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressive
Adjective
-
Several sources described the interaction as heated and combative.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
-
When officers arrived, Jones allegedly became more agitated and combative.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Encoded in the machine's engineering was an ambitious globalism.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
5 July 2025
-
The package is certain to be a flashpoint in next year’s midterm elections, and Democrats are making ambitious plans for rallies, voter registration drives, attack ads, bus tours and even a multi-day vigil, all intended to highlight the most controversial elements.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
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The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Forced to work in a more hostile environment than.when it was first established in 2019, the mission faces limited options for evacuations due to the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights, and mobility, because of gangs’ ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
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From retail shops to corner bodegas and independent grocery stores, the past few years have not only forced small business owners to confront staggering economic challenges, but also a needlessly hostile regulatory environment brought on by out-of-touch policymakers.—
Tosha Miller,
New York Daily News,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
With so many players in the game, the competition is simultaneously fierce and toothless.—
Todd Fisher,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
Winds, too, were fierce, gusting up to 70 mph at the lakefront, according to the National Weather Service.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Jane Street has disputed the findings and is expected to mount a vigorous defense.—
Daniel Schlaepfer,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
One positive blessing today is that your health feels vigorous and strong!—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
One of the more contentious aspects of passing the bill was what to do with the cap on state and local tax deductions, or the SALT cap.—
Alicia Adamczyk,
Fortune,
4 July 2025
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Hearing From The Other Side Like most important aspects of life, there are two sides to this contentious coin.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Previous negotiations have stalled over Hamas demands of guarantees that further negotiations would lead to the war's end, while Netanyahu has insisted Israel would resume fighting to ensure the militant group's destruction.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
arkansasonline.com,
6 July 2025
-
Western audiences absorb coverage of militant acts by a narrow segment of the Palestinian population while the intellect and insights of the rest are largely ignored by disinterested media institutions.—
Micah Danney,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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