aggressive

/əˈɡrɛsɪv/

Say it: uh-GRES-iv

1. adjective Ready or likely to attack or confront; characterized by hostility.
The neighbor's dog is very aggressive and barks at everyone who walks by.
2. adjective Pursuing one's aims and interests forcefully, sometimes unduly so.
She's an aggressive salesperson who consistently exceeds her quotas.
3. adjective (Of a disease or medical treatment) growing or spreading rapidly; intense or vigorous.
The doctors recommended an aggressive course of treatment for the fast-spreading cancer.
4. adjective (Of an investment strategy) aiming for high returns by taking on greater risk.
His financial advisor suggested a more aggressive portfolio for long-term growth.

📖 Seen in the wild

The company launched an aggressive marketing campaign to capture a larger share of the market.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ aggressive in a sentence

The company launched an aggressive marketing campaign to capture a larger market share.
He became verbally aggressive when the bartender refused to serve him another drink.
As a journalist, she was known for her aggressive questioning of politicians.
The defender made an aggressive tackle and received a yellow card.
This particular weed is aggressive and can quickly take over a garden if not controlled.
The CEO's aggressive expansion plan involved opening fifty new stores in a single year.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

belligerent assertive hostile combative pugnacious forceful confrontational go-getting

belligerent · implies a warlike or eager-to-fight attitude, often without good reason.

assertive · suggests confident and forceful behavior, but lacks the negative, hostile connotation of 'aggressive'.

hostile · emphasizes open antagonism and ill will toward others.

combative · describes a readiness to argue or fight.

Opposites: passive, peaceful, timid, submissive, nonassertive

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'aggressive' steps into English from the Latin 'aggredi', meaning 'to approach' or 'to attack'. It's built from 'ad-' (to) and 'gradi' (to step), literally meaning 'to step toward' someone. This idea of stepping toward another person evolved from a neutral approach to a hostile attack, giving us the word's primary meaning today.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

aggressive behavioraggressive driveraggressive marketingaggressive stanceaggressive treatment

The connotation of 'aggressive' is highly dependent on context. In business, sports, or medicine, it often carries a positive sense of determination and vigor. In personal interactions, it is almost always negative, implying hostility. Be mindful of this split personality; if you mean confident and direct without being hostile, 'assertive' is often a better choice.

Word family: aggressively, aggressiveness, aggression, aggressor

💬 Quick answers

What does aggressive mean?

Aggressive primarily means hostile and ready to attack. It can also describe someone who is forceful and determined in pursuing goals, or a medical condition that spreads very quickly.

What is the difference between aggressive and assertive?

Assertive means confidently standing up for your own rights without being hostile. Aggressive behavior often involves achieving goals at the expense of others, sometimes with hostility or force.

Is being aggressive a good or bad thing?

It depends entirely on the context. In business or sports, being aggressive can be a positive trait indicating drive and determination. In social situations, it is almost always negative, implying hostility and confrontation.

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