1
as in aggressive
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal
some reef fish are assertive in defending their territory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emphatic
marked by or uttered with forcefulness
after months of assertive declarations that he would not run for president, he announced he was running
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 assertive
The six-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is equally impressive, with assertive, clear tones.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
15 June 2026
Gen Alpha tends to be more assertive and competent.
—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
14 June 2026
Against arguably the best backline in the world, Japan will have to be creative and assertive to find the back of the net in the final 45 minutes.
—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2026
Leo, who has adopted a more assertive tone against the direction of global leadership in recent months, is scheduled to give more than 20 speeches during his first trip to a European Union country outside Italy, and will be the first pope to address the Spanish parliament.
—
Joshua McElwee,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for assertive
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
15 June 2026
Gen Alpha tends to be more assertive and competent.
—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
14 June 2026
Against arguably the best backline in the world, Japan will have to be creative and assertive to find the back of the net in the final 45 minutes.
—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2026
Leo, who has adopted a more assertive tone against the direction of global leadership in recent months, is scheduled to give more than 20 speeches during his first trip to a European Union country outside Italy, and will be the first pope to address the Spanish parliament.
—
Joshua McElwee,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for assertive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assertive
Adjective
-
The goal is gentle smoke and indirect heat rather than aggressive flames.
-
Right now, the multi-trillion-dollar global apparel industry is undergoing an aggressive technological shift, adopting artificial intelligence as a production standard rather than an experimental pilot.
Adjective
-
Mozeliak didn’t rule himself out as the long-term answer at general manager and was emphatic about not speaking in absolutes.
-
Senegal secured third place in FIFA World Cup Group I with an emphatic 5-0 victory over the 10 men of Iraq — the biggest ever win for an African team at a World Cup.
Adjective
-
Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.
-
Each scoop lifted tons of earth and rock as engineers raced to complete one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in history.
Adjective
-
Dunlap notes that borage can grow to about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, while tomatoes are known for their vigorous growth.
-
Levine Cava gave the golden-colored dog a vigorous pat on the head.
Adjective
-
Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, climate change and other news.
-
English soccer fans have earned a reputation for violent hooliganism, hurling plastic chairs and brawling their way across the piazzas and boulevards of Europe.
Adjective
-
Unlike dynamic stretching, static stretching holds muscles in a lengthened position for an extended period.
-
However, beginning in the late 1950s, advancing spacecraft technology allowed scientists to study planets, moons and smaller bodies up close, revealing worlds far more diverse and dynamic than could be seen through telescopes alone.
Cite this Entry
“Assertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assertive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
