assaultive

American  

[uh-sawl-tiv] / əˈsɔl tɪv /

adjective

1. tending or seeming to assault; physically aggressive.

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

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Other Word Forms

• assaultively adverb
• assaultiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of assaultive

First recorded in 1950–55; assault + -ive

Example Sentences

Locked away in prison, Amanda has little sense of the assaultive coverage’s prevalence and scope.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2025

“Most importantly, there are already laws on the books to address assaultive conduct.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 11, 2024

“We told you to leave. We gave you time to leave. We were slow and methodical, yet you were assaultive and aggressive with officers,” police said in a statement.

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2022

They’re shivery little reminders of what can happen when ominous music, assaultive sound design and serpentine camera moves are flexed to the state-of-the-art max.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2021

When P-Orridge and others branched off that year to form Throbbing Gristle, they added assaultive industrial noise and Nazi imagery to the mix.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2018