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 aggressiveness
Contemporary Examples
Nothing compares to the lack of transparency, and the aggressiveness of this administration.
It serves us well in our home city, but perhaps gives us an unwanted air of paranoia and aggressiveness in, say, Hailey, Idaho.
The Aurora Shooting Made One Prominent Hollywood Producer Too Scared to Go to The MultiplexRick Schwartz
August 26, 2012
And the Gulf is just one front with Iran while on others increasing Iranian aggressiveness worries U.S. military commanders.
Presidents like Teddy Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson wore their aggressiveness as a badge of honor.
Historical Examples
May it teach them some lessons of restraint as well as of aggressiveness!
Where Half The World Is Waking UpClarence Poe
These wars in the South were incited by the insolence and aggressiveness of the Americans.
The Indian TodayCharles A. Eastman
His boldness and aggressiveness were unique in the history of Indian warfare.
The Indian TodayCharles A. Eastman
Now her stinging tongue was dumb, and there was no aggressiveness in her manner.
'Me-Smith'Caroline Lockhart
Madame's husband instantly showed a diminution of aggressiveness.
Love at PaddingtonW. Pett Ridge
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 aggressiveness
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.