aggressive
adjective
ag·gres·sive
ə-ˈgre-siv 
1
a
: tending toward or exhibiting aggression
aggressive behavior
b
: marked by combative readiness
an aggressive fighter
2
a
: marked by obtrusive energy and self-assertiveness
a rude, aggressive personality
b
: marked by driving forceful energy or initiative : enterprising
an aggressive salesman
3
: strong or emphatic in effect or intent
aggressive colors
aggressive flavors
4
: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly
aggressive bone tumors
5
: more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent
aggressive chemotherapy
Synonyms
Examples of aggressive in a Sentence
He started to get aggressive and began to shout.
an aggressive lawyer whose tactics have made people angry
The team plays a very aggressive style of defense.
The company took aggressive steps to prevent illegal use of their equipment.
The publisher has been very aggressive in promoting the book.
The city began an aggressive campaign to encourage recycling.
an aggressive form of cancer
Recent Examples on the Web
But the trance-inducing recording of an anonymous basement hallway also marked a new investigation into how images could be created and transformed with more aggressive, optical effects.
—
Erik Morse, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024
But companies are now arguing that labor officials under the Biden administration have gotten more aggressive.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 23 Apr. 2024
Some protesters have joined the calls for Shafik to resign, while others worry whoever replaces her would take more aggressive action.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2024
Brooks said that those experiencing allergies should first look to non-medicinal fixes, starting with HEPA air filters or saline sprays, before turning to more aggressive treatments such as steroidal or antihistamine sprays.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2024
The move is the latest by the FTC to take a more aggressive position on antitrust issues.
—Anne D'innocenzio, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2024
The nature of the crime is resurrecting memories of a Milwaukee killer from decades ago, prompting calls for more safety and awareness about missing and murdered Black women and girls and demands for a more aggressive search by law enforcement for Robinson's remains.
—Jessica Van Egeren, Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024
Florida began the game as the more aggressive team in the opening minutes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2024
Above all, and perhaps most worryingly, he’s won over millions for his government’s aggressive Hindu nationalism.
—Michael Kugelman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Erik Morse, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024
But companies are now arguing that labor officials under the Biden administration have gotten more aggressive.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 23 Apr. 2024
Some protesters have joined the calls for Shafik to resign, while others worry whoever replaces her would take more aggressive action.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2024
Brooks said that those experiencing allergies should first look to non-medicinal fixes, starting with HEPA air filters or saline sprays, before turning to more aggressive treatments such as steroidal or antihistamine sprays.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2024
The move is the latest by the FTC to take a more aggressive position on antitrust issues.
—Anne D'innocenzio, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2024
The nature of the crime is resurrecting memories of a Milwaukee killer from decades ago, prompting calls for more safety and awareness about missing and murdered Black women and girls and demands for a more aggressive search by law enforcement for Robinson's remains.
—Jessica Van Egeren, Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024
Florida began the game as the more aggressive team in the opening minutes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2024
Above all, and perhaps most worryingly, he’s won over millions for his government’s aggressive Hindu nationalism.
—Michael Kugelman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aggressive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near aggressive
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggressive. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aggressive
adjective
ag·gres·sive
ə-ˈgres-iv
1
a
: showing readiness to attack
an aggressive dog
b
: practicing aggression
an aggressive nation
2
: being forceful in getting things done
an aggressive sales campaign
3
: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly
aggressive weeds
aggressively
adverb
aggressiveness
noun
Medical Definition
aggressive
adjective
ag·gres·sive
ə-ˈgres-iv
1
: tending toward or exhibiting aggression
aggressive behavior
2
: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly
aggressive bone tumors
3
: more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent
aggressive chemotherapy
aggressive surgical intervention
compare conservative
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