Meaning & use
aggressive
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
Quick to start a fight or argue, or acting in an angry, forceful and threatening way.
Grammar: Often followed by toward: aggressive toward strangers.
Patterns
- aggressive toward someone
- be aggressive with someone
The dog became aggressive when strangers came near.
He was fined for aggressive behavior at the match.
Her aggressive tone made the meeting tense.
adjectivecomparableapproving
Determined and energetic in pursuing a goal, often taking bold risks.
Grammar: Often before a noun: an aggressive strategy.
Patterns
- an aggressive plan
The firm launched an aggressive marketing campaign.
She is an aggressive negotiator who rarely backs down.
adjectivecomparablemedical
Spreading or developing fast and strongly, used of diseases or treatments.
Grammar: Before a noun: aggressive cancer.
The doctors suggested aggressive treatment for the infection.
It was an aggressive form of the disease.
Word forms
| comparative | more aggressive |
|---|---|
| superlative | most aggressive |
Common combinations
- aggressive behavior
- Teachers worked to reduce aggressive behavior in the playground.
- aggressive driving
- Aggressive driving causes many crashes.
- aggressive growth
- The company planned aggressive growth in Asia.
- become aggressive
- The crowd became aggressive after the delay.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hostile
- Hostile describes an unfriendly attitude, whereas aggressive suggests ready action.
- assertive
- Assertive is positive and confident without force; aggressive often overpowers others.
- belligerent
- Belligerent is stronger and means actively seeking a fight.
Opposites
Word family
- aggression noun
- hostile or forceful behavior
- aggressively adverb
- in a forceful way
- aggressor noun
- a person or country that starts an attack
Commonly confused: aggressive or assertive?
aggressive vs assertive
Assertive means confident in stating your needs; aggressive implies hostility or overbearing force.
Practice
The manager asked staff to speak clearly but not to be ___ with customers.
Choose one answer.
Being forceful and hostile with customers is aggressive. Polite and patient are good qualities, and the 'not to be' construction implies something negative.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “aggressive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.