aggressive
[uh-gres-iv]
- 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.
- (of a disease or tumor) spreading rapidly or highly invasive; difficult or impossible to treat successfully.
- pertaining to a risky surgery or treatment, or to a medication that has grave side effects: aggressive chemotherapy.
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Origin of aggressive
Synonyms
See more synonyms for aggressive on Thesaurus.com1. pugnacious, militant. 2. forceful, enterprising, assertive.
Antonyms
1. friendly. 2. retiring, shy, timid, hesitant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for aggressively
Contemporary Examples
Reid aggressively raises money for Senate Majority PAC, which has spent $39 million on attack ads alone this cycle.
Most important, it must aggressively pursue rapprochement with India.
The police car arrives and aggressively questions the old woman.
But think more deeply: Congress could make all kinds of laws that aggressively establish an ideology that is not a religion.
The movie was aggressively fun, and, despite its sci-fi setting and outlandish plot, somehow relatable.
Historical Examples
"I don't see any easier way to get half a million," he said aggressively.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
"You ought to give it to him as a keepsake," said young Howard, aggressively.
In a Steamer Chair and Other StoriesRobert Barr
He was obviously direct from some eastern city, though not aggressively so.
The Law-BreakersRidgwell Cullum
They are aggressively German in sentiment, language, character and Kultur.
England and GermanyEmile Joseph Dillon
There was no injunction for fighting absolutely or aggressively in the Koran.
A Critical Exposition of the Popular 'Jihd'Moulavi Gergh Ali
aggressive
- quarrelsome or belligerentan aggressive remark
- assertive; vigorousan aggressive business executive
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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 aggressively
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
aggressive
(ə-grĕs′ĭv)- 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.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.