aggressively

American  

[uh-gres-iv-lee] / əˈgrɛs ɪv li /

adverb

1. in an aggressive, militant, or menacing manner.

   The orders were to root out the entrenched rebels, swiftly and aggressively.

2. in a highly competitive manner; with an aggressive effort to win.

   The series was aggressively played by both teams.

3. in a vigorously or forcefully enterprising manner; ambitiously.

   an aggressively marketed line of cosmetics.

4. in a pushy or boldly assertive manner.

   They continue to lobby aggressively for a safer workplace.

5. Medicine/Medical.

   1. (of a disease’s or tumor’s viability) in a rapid and vigorous, highly invasive manner.

      The cancer has aggressively branched out to his lower intestine.

   2. in a highly potent, therapeutic, but risky manner, intended to destroy malignancy.

      Can the treatment aggressively target the tumor without harming healthy tissue?

6. (of a plant’s growth habit) with an undesirable tendency to spread rapidly, especially where unwanted.

   Wild lotuses have aggressively flourished in both ponds, much to the dismay of local canoeists.

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Other Word Forms

• nonaggressively adverb
• overaggressively adverb
• unaggressively adverb

Etymology

Origin of aggressively

First recorded in 1790–95; aggressive ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

"There's danger that they will escalate situations or respond very aggressively in... tense situations," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

For example, the Fed aggressively cut the federal-funds rate from 5.25% in September 2007 to a near-zero range of 0%-0.25% by December 2008.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

In the process, the capsule shakes pretty aggressively.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

The analyst note that it’s “premature” to add equity exposure aggressively, as markets are still adjusting to the evolving macro impact.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Lord Fredrick chewed aggressively on his unlit cigar.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood