assaultive

[ uh-sawl-tiv ]

adjective

1. tending or seeming to assault; physically aggressive:

   the assaultive behavior of the inmates; the assaultive manner of some rock bands.

Other Words From

• as·saultive·ly adverb
• as·saultive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assaultive¹

First recorded in 1950–55; assault + -ive

Example Sentences

I did not say that he had assaultive or homicidal potential.

From Project Gutenberg