assertive

[ uh-sur-tiv ]
See synonyms for: assertiveassertiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. confidently aggressive or self-assured; positive: aggressive; dogmatic: He is too assertive as a salesman.

  2. having a distinctive or pronounced taste or aroma.

Origin of assertive

1
First recorded in 1555–65; assert + -ive

Other words for assertive

Other words from assertive

  • 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use assertive in a sentence

  • "Well, I am engaged to him," said Pauline, stoutly but not over-assertively.

  • Her voice was a very soft and pleasing voice, and she spoke persuasively and not assertively as so many American women do.

  • Tomlinson was trying to make conversation by repeating assertively what he had read in the evening press.

  • I thought of the "darkness 'broidered with luminous eyes," and I walked forward rapidly, self-assertively.

British Dictionary definitions for assertive

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 of assertive

  • assertively, adverb
  • assertiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012