aggressive

[ uh-gres-iv ]

adjective

1. characterized by or tending toward unprovoked offensives, attacks, invasions, or the like; militantly forward or menacing:

   aggressive acts against a neighboring country.

   Synonyms: militant, pugnacious

   Antonyms: friendly

2. making an all-out effort to win or succeed; competitive:

   an aggressive basketball player.

   Synonyms: assertive, enterprising, forceful

   Antonyms: hesitant, timid, shy, retiring

3. vigorously energetic, especially in the use of initiative and forcefulness:

   an aggressive salesperson.

4. boldly assertive and forward; pushy:

   an aggressive driver.

5. emphasizing maximum growth and capital gains over quality, security, and income:

   an aggressive mutual fund.

6. Medicine/Medical.
   1. (of a disease or tumor) growing or spreading rapidly; highly invasive; difficult or impossible to treat successfully:

      aggressive brain lesions.

   2. pertaining to a risky surgery or treatment, or to a medication that has grave side effects:

      aggressive chemotherapy.

7. (of a plant) spreading more rapidly than is desirable; tending to spread where not wanted:

   The joe-pye weed may be too aggressive to contain in the small area you’ve designated.

aggressive

/ əˈɡrɛsɪv /

adjective

1. quarrelsome or belligerent

   an aggressive remark

2. assertive; vigorous

   an aggressive business executive

Derived Forms

• agˈgressiveness, noun
• agˈgressively, adverb

Other Words From

• ag·gressive·ly adverb
• ag·gressive·ness ag·gres·siv·i·ty [ag-re-, siv, -i-tee], noun
• anti·ag·gressive adjective
• hyper·ag·gressive adjective
• over·ag·gressive adjective
• over·ag·gressive·ness noun
• super·ag·gressive adjective
• unag·gressive adjective
• unag·gressive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of aggressive¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Late Latin aggressīvus, derivative of Latin aggressus, past participle of aggredī “to go to, approach, attack”

Example Sentences

In the days that followed Trump’s 2024 election, Newsom signaled that he planned to wage an aggressive and highly visible campaign to shield the state from the Trump White House.

From Los Angeles Times

"I found out a few months back that I have cancer, that I have a very aggressive non-fixable cancer and they expect me to die," he said.

From BBC

Consider them part of a nationalist reaction to the West’s aggressive economic globalization.

From Salon

Trump called Vought, who held the same role during his first term, an “aggressive cost cutter and deregulator” who “knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State and end Weaponized Government.”

From Los Angeles Times

He is seen by many colleagues as more aggressive, articulate and shrewd than Mr. Nadler when it comes to taking on the former and future president.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bold
• cocky
• dynamic
• energetic
• forceful
• smart
• tough
• vigorous
• zealous