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definitions

aggressive

[ uh-gres-iv ]
/ əˈgrɛs ɪv /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR aggressive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characterized by or tending toward unprovoked offensives, attacks, invasions, or the like; militantly forward or menacing: aggressive acts against a neighboring country.
making an all-out effort to win or succeed; competitive: an aggressive basketball player.
vigorously energetic, especially in the use of initiative and forcefulness: an aggressive salesperson.
boldly assertive and forward; pushy: an aggressive driver.
emphasizing maximum growth and capital gains over quality, security, and income: an aggressive mutual fund.
Medicine/Medical.
  1. (of a disease or tumor) spreading rapidly or highly invasive; difficult or impossible to treat successfully.
  2. pertaining to a risky surgery or treatment, or to a medication that has grave side effects: aggressive chemotherapy.

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RELATED WORDS

contentious, intrusive, combative, threatening, destructive, tough, bold, zealous, forceful, dynamic, cocky, vigorous, smart, energetic, antipathetic, barbaric, bellicose, disruptive, disturbing, martial

Nearby words

  1. aggregative,
  2. aggregator,
  3. aggregatory,
  4. aggress,
  5. aggression,
  6. aggressive infantile fibromatosis,
  7. aggressive mimicry,
  8. aggressively,
  9. aggressivity,
  10. aggressor

Origin of aggressive

First recorded in 1815–25; aggress(ion) + -ive
Related forms
Can be confusedaggressive passive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for aggressive

British Dictionary definitions for aggressive

aggressive

/ (əˈɡrɛsɪv) /

adjective

quarrelsome or belligerentan aggressive remark
assertive; vigorousan aggressive business executive
Derived Formsaggressively, adverbaggressiveness, 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

Word Origin and History for aggressive

aggressive

adj.

1791, from Latin aggress-, past participle stem of aggredi (see aggression) + -ive. In psychological use from 1913, first in translations of Freud. Related: Aggressively; aggressiveness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for aggressive

aggressive

[ ə-grĕs′ĭv ]

adj.

Characterized by aggression.
Inclined to behave in a hostile fashion.
Tending to spread quickly, as a tumor; fast-growing.
Characterized by or inclined toward vigorous or intensive medical treatment.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.