assertive

[ uh-sur-tiv ]

See synonyms for: assertive assertiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

confidently aggressive or self-assured; positive: aggressive; dogmatic: He is too assertive as a salesman.
having a distinctive or pronounced taste or aroma.

Origin of assertive

First recorded in 1555–65; assert + -ive

Other words for assertive

1	forceful, decisive, forward

See synonyms for assertive on Thesaurus.com

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

When she tries to join a conversation between two men at dinner she is chastened for her assertiveness.
American Dreams, 1924: ‘So Big’ by Edna Ferber | Nathaniel Rich | March 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The assertiveness China already shows in Asia and Africa is just the beginning.
Why the West Rules—For Now | Ian Morris | December 25, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
I absolutely love the assertiveness of olives and capers, especially when paired with a meaty fish like swordfish.
Fresh Picks | Donatella Arpaia | August 11, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
His assertiveness was compelling, and even the captain displayed symptoms of being impressed.
Blow The Man Down | Holman Day
Those qualities were greed and persistence in acquisitiveness, cunning and subtlety, also bragging and self-assertiveness.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society | Upton Sinclair

He had a peculiar manner of wriggling from the bottom of his back, with fussy self-assertiveness.
Sea and Sardinia | D. H. Lawrence
His self-assertiveness irritated those who were accustomed to look for nothing but deference from the persons about them.
The History of the Post Office in British North America | William Smith
But his vanity was that of an honest man, and he was often stung to assertiveness by the malignities of his enemies.
Twelve Naval Captains | Molly Elliot Seawell

British Dictionary definitions for assertive

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 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

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