aggressive implies a disposition to dominate often in disregard of others' rights or in determined and energetic pursuit of one's ends.
aggressive in his business dealings
militant also implies a fighting disposition but suggests not self-seeking but devotion to a cause, movement, or principle.
militant protesters rallied against the new law
assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion.
the more assertive speakers dominated the forum
self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence.
a self-assertive young upstart
Example Sentences
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 See More
Recent Examples on the WebGoogle has one of Big Tech’s most aggressive sustainability plans. Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2022 In recent years, the most aggressive state-level initiatives have been crafted by conservative statehouses, often in ways that conflict with popular sentiment. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 The legislation is among the nation’s most aggressive, banning new fossil fuel power plants and requiring existing generators to begin cleaning up their electricity almost immediately.oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2022 Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive types of brain cancer known to man. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 5 Sep. 2022 But the Commission's draft regulation would go beyond even the most aggressive aims of the US right-to-repair movement. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 2 Sep. 2022 Her probe has grown to become the most aggressive state-level investigation into efforts by Mr. Trump and his allies to reverse the November 2020 results. Jan Wolfe, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 Historically, ultralow-fare airlines have been the most aggressive with luggage fees. Christopher Elliott, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, a Republican facing a re-election challenge from Democrat Stacey Abrams, has been among the most aggressive tax-cutters.CBS News, 31 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin aggressīvus, from Latin aggressus, past participle of aggredī "to step up to, approach, attack" + -īvus-ive — more at aggress