assertive

[ uh-sur-tiv ]

adjective

1. confidently aggressive or self-assured; positive: aggressive; dogmatic:

   He is too assertive as a salesman.

   Synonyms: forward, decisive, forceful

2. having a distinctive or pronounced taste or aroma.

assertive

/ əˈsɜːtɪv /

adjective

1. confident and direct in claiming one's rights or putting forward one's views
2. given to making assertions or bold demands; dogmatic or aggressive

Derived Forms

• asˈsertively, adverb
• asˈsertiveness, noun

Other Words From

• as·sertive·ly adverb
• as·sertive·ness noun
• nonas·sertive adjective
• nonas·sertive·ly adverb
• nonas·sertive·ness noun
• over·as·sertive adjective
• over·as·sertive·ly adverb
• over·as·sertive·ness noun
• pseudo·as·sertive adjective
• pseudo·as·sertive·ly adverb
• unas·sertive adjective
• unas·sertive·ly adverb
• unas·sertive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assertive¹

First recorded in 1555–65; assert + -ive

Example Sentences

I need to feel like I know what I’m doing, and they help me feel more assertive and in alignment.

From Los Angeles Times

I feel assertive when I feel aligned.

From Los Angeles Times

But some of the recent coverage has also been unflattering, with critics saying he wasn't assertive enough and his tenure has been disappointing.

From BBC

What Beyoncé is doing, Palmer says, is performance art — “emoting something that is meant to be an aspirational exploration of feminism, gender-nonconformity but still softness, being assertive, having her peace in chaos with ‘Lemonade.’”

From Los Angeles Times

But Cronin suggested that Kyle needed to develop a nasty streak after the game, noting that he was too nice and should think less and be more assertive.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• confident
• decisive
• emphatic
• forceful
• insistent
• pushy
• self-assured
• self-confident