aggressiveness

noun

Definition of aggressivenessnext
1
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity because of the mayor's aggressiveness in tackling problems, there have been significant changes for the better

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intensity
the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression) has the aggressiveness one needs to pursue a career in show business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel male bettas, known for their aggressiveness, are best raised alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aggressiveness Furthermore, CNNs are exceeding in disease detection and predicting disease aggressiveness and patient prognosis. — Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 So will the aggressiveness of the defender after giving up a rebound. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026 Stunned at first by his opponent’s aggressiveness and the onslaught of personal attacks, Ted trains himself to withstand the barrages and to respond in kind. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 Indeed, heads quickly began to turn as the Chicago Bears defensive tackle showed no fear and an abundance of aggressiveness. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Is the nation’s vaunted politeness actually just passive-aggressiveness? — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2026 The salaries match, Strus is an expiring contract while Niko has four years left and the 3-point shooting and the aggressiveness of Max are way better than Niko’s. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 This could bring up feelings of resentment, competitiveness or passive aggressiveness, especially if there’s been something simmering in the background. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026 The Angels swung early and often, and Cameron utilized their aggressiveness to his advantage. — Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressiveness
  1. ambition
  2. intensity
  3. aggression
  4. initiative
Noun
  • In March 2026, China approved the world’s first commercially available brain-computer interface medical device, a milestone that pointed to ambitions extending well beyond low-cost production or fast-follow imitation.
    — Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • With Russia and China increasing their footprint and ambition, the Arctic has become a front line of global power competition.
    — Lee Ying Shan,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of ambition
Noun
  • Murban crude, produced by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has a carbon intensity less than half the global industry average.
    — H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • My entire goal was to stay as relaxed as possible and let the contractions keep doing the work—an extremely challenging task as the intensity continued to build.
    — Trinity Mouzon Wofford, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • Trump and Lee must restore deterrence, not reward Kim’s aggression, to avoid strategic and economic calamity.
    — Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The aggression paid off as Kansas converted five fourth downs while improving to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the Big 12.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • That there’s even $75 million to fight over is due to an aldermanic initiative.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • In 2019, Roc Nation signed on to consult the NFL on live music entertainment and the social justice initiative Inspire Change, which aims to reduce barriers to opportunity, especially in underserved communities.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of initiative

Browse Nearby Words

aggressively
aggressiveness
aggressor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aggressiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressiveness. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All