assertive

[ uh-sur-tiv ]

/ əˈsɜr tɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR assertive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

confidently aggressive or self-assured; positive: aggressive; dogmatic: He is too assertive as a salesman.

having a distinctive or pronounced taste or aroma.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of assertive

First recorded in 1555–65; assert + -ive

SYNONYMS FOR assertive

1 forceful, decisive, forward.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR assertive ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

as·ser·tive·ly, adverbas·ser·tive·ness, nounnon·as·ser·tive, adjectivenon·as·ser·tive·ly, adverb

non·as·ser·tive·ness, nouno·ver·as·ser·tive, adjectiveo·ver·as·ser·tive·ly, adverbo·ver·as·ser·tive·ness, nounpseu·do·as·ser·tive, adjectivepseu·do·as·ser·tive·ly, adverbun·as·ser·tive, adjectiveun·as·ser·tive·ly, adverbun·as·ser·tive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for assertiveness

When she tries to join a conversation between two men at dinner she is chastened for her assertiveness.
American Dreams, 1924: ‘So Big’ by Edna Ferber|Nathaniel Rich|March 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The assertiveness China already shows in Asia and Africa is just the beginning.
Why the West Rules—For Now|Ian Morris|December 25, 2010|DAILY BEAST
I absolutely love the assertiveness of olives and capers, especially when paired with a meaty fish like swordfish.
Fresh Picks|Donatella Arpaia|August 11, 2009|DAILY BEAST
They had no assertiveness, so could not aspire to a managerial position, such as might eventually fall to the share of Nelly.
A Bed of Roses|W. L. George

His assertiveness was compelling, and even the captain displayed symptoms of being impressed.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day
It was not by spectacular efforts or assertiveness of any kind that Lee had gained this hold upon his countrymen.
On the Trail of Grant and Lee|Frederick Trevor Hill
Skinner had many original ideas, which, because of a certain lack of assertiveness, he'd never been able to exploit.
Skinner's Dress Suit|Henry Irving Dodge
It was rather curious to see that as she grew in strength Clement lost in assertiveness—in his feeling of command.
The Spirit of Sweetwater|Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for assertiveness

assertive

/ (əˈsɜːtɪv) /

adjective

confident and direct in claiming one's rights or putting forward one's views

given to making assertions or bold demands; dogmatic or aggressive

Derived Formsassertively, adverbassertiveness, noun

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 assertiveness (1 of 2)

assertiveness

"tendency toward self-assertion," 1881, from assertive + -ness.

Word Origin and History for assertiveness (1 of 2)

assertive

adj.

1560s, "declaratory, positive, full of assertion," from assert + -ive. Meaning "insisting on one's rights" is short for self-assertive (1865).