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

Some scenes are so natural as to seem improvised; others employ heavy tactics — an assaultive sound design, flash cuts — to evoke the pressure Amanda is under, from both the self-satisfied authorities and a hectoring press.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Seattle Times

The ambient soundscape, by the cellist and composer Mizu, is industrial, too, with assaultive waves of rumbling, buzzing, hissing and screeching.

From New York Times

The law had defined “abnormally dangerous” weapons as having special features making them more suitable for “assaultive purposes” rather than recreation or self-defense.

From Los Angeles Times