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assertive
/ əˈsɜːtɪv /
adjective
- confident and direct in claiming one's rights or putting forward one's views
- given to making assertions or bold demands; dogmatic or aggressive
Derived Forms
- asˈsertively, adverb
- asˈsertiveness, noun
Other Words From
- as·sertive·ly adverb
- as·sertive·ness noun
- nonas·sertive adjective
- nonas·sertive·ly adverb
- nonas·sertive·ness noun
- over·as·sertive adjective
- over·as·sertive·ly adverb
- over·as·sertive·ness noun
- pseudo·as·sertive adjective
- pseudo·as·sertive·ly adverb
- unas·sertive adjective
- unas·sertive·ly adverb
- unas·sertive·ness noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of assertive1
Compare Meanings
How does assertive compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
They acknowledge the unprecedented challenges facing us and the need for more assertive and determined action.
Google Health, in turn, penned a polite, nuanced but assertive rebuttal arguing for their need to protect patient information and prevent the AI from malicious attacks.
Still, the naturally shy Magbegor admits she needs to be more assertive to take her game to the next level.
Women are constantly told they need to change themselves—be more assertive, or wear more makeup—to succeed.
A more recent sign of the growing antagonism is the unease that Apple, a relative Switzerland among CTV platforms, could become more assertive in its dealings with media companies distributing apps on Apple TV.
And, in all fairness to Lady Gaga, any singer who matches up with Tony Bennett needs to get loud and assertive.
It tells me we need more women, and men, to raise their girls the way my parents raised me: to be assertive, confident and proud.
He would recognize the angry, assertive tone of comments on web articles as the exact same tendency he identified in 1929.
They are proving more assertive than ever before in demanding the rights that adults have until now failed to deliver.
The goal is to make art more assertive, and more accessible to more people.
She was more self-important and self-assertive, and Zizi wondered if she had learned something definite against some suspect.
Presently, with her alert, rather assertive blue eyes she saw Kitty, and came forward.
This discussion is necessarily didactic and assertive for it is impossible to prove or disprove any of these postulates.
He was an absolute positivist; his positivism did not make him self-assertive nor peremptory; on the contrary, it oppressed him.
His taste in literature was uniformly bad, but very definite, and far more assertive than his views on biological questions.
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More About Assertive
What does assertive mean?
Assertive commonly means confident and direct when trying to get what one wants or saying what one wants to say. It can also mean aggressive, forceful, or having a tendency to make demands.
These two meanings are typically applied to people, their personalities, or their actions. Assertive is sometimes also applied to food to mean having a bold flavor.
Example: If you want your work to be noticed, you have to be more assertive—you can’t just sit quietly at every meeting.
Where does assertive come from?
The first records of the word assertive come from the mid-1500s. It comes from the Latin assertus, meaning “defended” or “claimed.” Assertive can be thought of as the adjective version of the verb assert, which means “to maintain or defend” (as in phrases like assert your rights or assert their dominance), but assertive has actually been in use for longer than assert.
Assertive is often used to describe a confident person’s personality. People who are assertive are confident, they speak up for themselves, and they take charge. But that doesn’t mean they’re seen as aggressive. When described with this sense of the word, they are thought to be able to get their point across without being overly forceful. This sense of assertive is the opposite of passive and it is generally used in a positive way.
But sometimes assertive is used in a negative way to mean “aggressive,” “forceful,” or “demanding.” Someone might be described in this way if they constantly assert their opinions or beliefs, especially without allowing anyone to question them or without letting others state their own.
When used to describe food and drink, assertive means something has a real kick to it—the opposite of bland. Red wine and strong cheeses are two things whose flavors are frequently called assertive.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to assertive?
- assert (verb)
- assertively (adverb)
- assertiveness (noun)
- nonassertive (adjective)
- assertion (noun)
What are some synonyms for assertive?
What are some words that share a root or word element with assertive?
What are some words that often get used in discussing assertive?
How is assertive used in real life?
Assertive can be used both positively (meaning “confident”) and negatively (meaning “aggressive”).
I’ve been told more than once by men I’ve dated that my personality is super chill. I’ve also been told I’m too chill and that’s probably why I’m single. Knowing me, I kinda agree with the logic.
I’ve been more assertive lately and it’s been great!
— B (@blaire_erialb) March 5, 2020
With millions of people having become assertive and vocal abt betrayals, demands,aspirations & solutions, the Earth may prove 2 small 4 us!
— Nasim Zehra (@NasimZehra) February 18, 2015
Blue #cheese. Chile #peppers. @CarrValley takes these 2 ingredients – each with a fairly assertive flavor on its own – & combines them: [1] pic.twitter.com/2e8crcbYsu
— Zin The Phoenix (@ZinThePhoenix) January 8, 2017
Try using assertive!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for assertive?
A. insecure
B. confident
C. persistent
D. self-assured
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