aggressive

[ uh-gres-iv ]
/ əˈgrɛs ɪv /
SEE 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.

QUIZZES

HEED THE VOX POPULI, AND TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Test your memory on these verbal firecrackers from the week of June 29 to July 5!
Question 1 of 7
anchorite
a granular metamorphic rock.
a person who has retired to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion.
a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of aggressive

First recorded in 1815–25; aggress(ion) + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM aggressive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH aggressive

aggressive passive

Words nearby aggressive

aggregation, aggregative, aggregator, aggress, aggression, aggressive, aggressive infantile fibromatosis, aggressive mimicry, aggressor, aggrieve, aggrieved
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to aggressive

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

Example sentences from the Web for aggressive

British Dictionary definitions for aggressive

aggressive
/ (əˈɡrɛsɪv) /

adjective

quarrelsome or belligerentan aggressive remark
assertive; vigorousan aggressive business executive

Derived forms of aggressive

aggressively, 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

Medical 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.