adjective
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confident and direct in claiming one's rights or putting forward one's views
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given to making assertions or bold demands; dogmatic or aggressive
Usage
What does assertive mean? Assertive commonly means confident and direct when trying to get what one wants or saying what one wants to say. It can also mean aggressive, forceful, or having a tendency to make demands. These two meanings are typically applied to people, their personalities, or their actions. Assertive is sometimes also applied to food to mean having a bold flavor. Example: If you want your work to be noticed, you have to be more assertive—you can’t just sit quietly at every meeting.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of assertive
Compare meaning
How does assertive compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If you are upfront about what you want and bold in devising a plan that helps you get it, you could be described as assertive, meaning you act with authority and confidence. English offers many ways to describe getting what you want — demanding, insistent, and pushy are a few of them. People who are assertive aren't as aggressive as those who are demanding and pushy, and they can negotiate a little better than those who are insistent. Use assertive to describe someone who is self-confident enough to make bold statements and forceful actions. The word can also be applied to nonhuman things, like policies and strategies.
Vocabulary lists containing assertive
ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
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Hoot
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Tone and Point of View, List 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His default driver mode was Average, but he said he has found that the two other options — Chill and Assertive — aren’t much different: “The car is just really aggressive anyway.”
From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2023
Likewise, Assertive Community Treatment programs, the most intensive type of outpatient psychiatric care, is proven to help people who otherwise would remain long-term in psychiatric hospitals.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2022
For example, providing Assertive Community Treatment - a team-based treatment model that provides round-the-clock support - and supportive housing, according to the report, costs around $20,500 annually.
From Washington Times • Aug. 9, 2016
"Welcome to the conference," Hodgson opened up from his spot in the centre of the FA's teetering advertising plinth, not exactly a grasp of the shirtfront, but a significant moment nonetheless for New Assertive Roy.
From The Guardian • May 16, 2012
Assertive individualism, while allowed a certain range among the samurai, always had its well-marked limits.
From Evolution Of The Japanese, Social And Psychic by Gulick, Sidney Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
