aggressive
adjective
ag·gres·sive
ə-ˈgre-siv 
1
a
: tending toward or exhibiting aggression
aggressive behavior
b
: marked by combative readiness
an aggressive fighter
2
a
: marked by obtrusive energy and self-assertiveness
a rude, aggressive personality
b
: marked by driving forceful energy or initiative : enterprising
an aggressive salesman
3
: strong or emphatic in effect or intent
aggressive colors
aggressive flavors
4
: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly
aggressive bone tumors
5
: more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent
aggressive chemotherapy
Synonyms
Examples of aggressive in a Sentence
He started to get aggressive and began to shout.
an aggressive lawyer whose tactics have made people angry
The team plays a very aggressive style of defense.
The company took aggressive steps to prevent illegal use of their equipment.
The publisher has been very aggressive in promoting the book.
The city began an aggressive campaign to encourage recycling.
an aggressive form of cancer
Recent Examples on the Web
In recent months, U.S., British, German and other European officials have accused Russia of organizing an increasingly aggressive sabotage campaign aimed at undermining and disrupting Western assistance to Ukraine.
—
Tom Costello, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Throughout the election season, Republicans and Democrats viewed Arizona's 11 electoral college votes as up for grabs, which meant both parties did aggressive campaigning throughout the state and both Trump and Harris visited on multiple occasions.
—Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
But the caveat is that strategy requires an aggressive sales function.
—Jesse Silvertown, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Meanwhile, the fate of FTC Chair Lina Khan — a pick of President Joe Biden who has been particularly aggressive in reining in large tech companies and also Tapestry Inc.’s $8.5 billion deal to buy Capri Holdings — seems uncertain.
—Adriana Lee, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aggressive 
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Tom Costello, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Throughout the election season, Republicans and Democrats viewed Arizona's 11 electoral college votes as up for grabs, which meant both parties did aggressive campaigning throughout the state and both Trump and Harris visited on multiple occasions.
—Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
But the caveat is that strategy requires an aggressive sales function.
—Jesse Silvertown, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Meanwhile, the fate of FTC Chair Lina Khan — a pick of President Joe Biden who has been particularly aggressive in reining in large tech companies and also Tapestry Inc.’s $8.5 billion deal to buy Capri Holdings — seems uncertain.
—Adriana Lee, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aggressive
Dictionary Entries Near aggressive
Cite this Entry
“Aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggressive. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aggressive
adjective
ag·gres·sive
ə-ˈgres-iv
1
a
: showing readiness to attack
an aggressive dog
b
: practicing aggression
an aggressive nation
2
: being forceful in getting things done
an aggressive sales campaign
3
: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly
aggressive weeds
aggressively
adverb
aggressiveness
noun
Medical Definition
aggressive
adjective
ag·gres·sive
ə-ˈgres-iv
1
: tending toward or exhibiting aggression
aggressive behavior
2
: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly
aggressive bone tumors
3
: more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent
aggressive chemotherapy
aggressive surgical intervention
compare conservative
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