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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 assertive
Be assertive in helping leaders hone their emotional intelligence, and ground recommended interventions in evidence, such as leadership competency assessments.
Take a pulse.
—
Shannon Gabriel, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
More Kyodo News via AP Following Japan's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in 2012, China's Coast Guard ships—often equipped with autocannons—began assertive patrols around the uninhabited territory, raising Tokyo's concerns that Beijing is attempting to alter the status quo.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2025
Schenn, however, is an assertive physical presence and a top notch leader in the locker room, traits that the Canucks might understandably prioritize after what happened last season.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Shannon Gabriel, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
More Kyodo News via AP Following Japan's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in 2012, China's Coast Guard ships—often equipped with autocannons—began assertive patrols around the uninhabited territory, raising Tokyo's concerns that Beijing is attempting to alter the status quo.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2025
Schenn, however, is an assertive physical presence and a top notch leader in the locker room, traits that the Canucks might understandably prioritize after what happened last season.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assertive
Adjective
-
Putin would hit them through relentless cyber attacks and increasingly aggressive military moves on their borders.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
Turkeys may become aggressive and territorial if comfortable in suburban areas.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
But Keegan Bradley's dramatic win at the Travelers Championship earned him a rare and emphatic nod.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
-
Four years ago, when The Athletic asked this precise question of Chelsea fans on X, the answer was emphatic, with Tottenham Hotspur garnering 58.6 per cent of the vote.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
9 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
-
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
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
In Marvel’s Ironheart, the world of technology collides with the supernatural, creating a fresh, dynamic chapter in the MCU.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 July 2025
-
However, the most dynamic companies today, such as Amazon, Notion, and Anthropic operate on different principles.—
Jeroen Tas,
Time,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assertive. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share