1 assertive | Definition of assertive
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

assertive

adjective
as·​ser·​tive | \ É™-ˈsÉ™r-tiv How to pronounce assertive (audio) , a-\

Definition of assertive

1 : disposed to or characterized by bold or confident statements and behavior an assertive leader
2 : having a strong or distinctive flavor or aroma assertive wines
Other Words from assertive Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about assertive

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from assertive

assertively adverb
assertiveness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for assertive

aggressive, militant, assertive, self-assertive mean obtrusively energetic especially in pursuing particular goals. aggressive implies a disposition to dominate often in disregard of others' rights or in determined and energetic pursuit of one's ends. aggressive in his business dealings militant also implies a fighting disposition but suggests not self-seeking but devotion to a cause, movement, or principle. militant protesters rallied against the new law assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion. the more assertive speakers dominated the forum self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence. a self-assertive young upstart

Examples of assertive in a Sentence

When my mother brought my baby sister home on the train from the Chicago adoption agency, she had hired a woman from the South named Arizona, much younger than Hope, vigorous, boisterous, taller, darker, and less acclimated to the behavior expected of servants in an upscale Wasp suburb up North. She was a blithe spirit, as I remember her, assertive, gleeful, expansive, loud and goofy with me when, to tease her, I'd pull on the bow of her apron strings … — Edward Hoagland, Harper's, July 2004 Don't substitute corn syrup or molasses for cane syrup. Corn syrup is thinner, lighter and milder than cane syrup, and molasses is thicker, darker and much more assertive. — Denise Landis, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2002 One of the points I think that's important is the way in which the United States has responded to the initiatives in the African Renaissance, and a lot of the developments that we have seen, in fact, have their roots in Africa. What it means for U.S. policy is that the Africans themselves are being much more assertive than they have been in the past. — Emerge, June 1998 Daily newspaper in Chicago metro region seeks aggressive, assertive crime reporter who thrives on getting obligatory … items done fast in order to devote time to colorful stories about villains, victims and everything in between. — Editor & Publisher, 31 Oct. 1998 Their daughter is an assertive little girl. If you want people to listen to your opinions, you'll need to learn to be more assertive.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 Celestial Seasoning’s Raspberry Zinger has an impressively assertive flavor and aroma that’s mellowed beautifully with an equal dose of Traditional Medicinal’s peppermint tea. — ExpressNews.com, "Recipe: Razzmintazz Smash Iced Tea," 21 Aug. 2019 In Detroit, expect to see the governor be a lot more assertive in bringing up climate change, an issue central to his candidacy that wasn't addressed until the second hour of the Miami debate. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Sunday Trail Markers: Everything to watch for at this week's debate," 28 July 2019 But one feature of the coaching philosophy institutionalized at his alma mater, Duke University, is the assertive polish of his media training. — Troy Patterson, The New Yorker, "The Evolution of N.B.A.-Draft Fashion," 26 June 2019 So put your kids in charge of eliminating single-use plastic from an upcoming family vacation, and watch as your little planet protectors become master planners, assertive activists, and creative problem-solvers. — Allyson Shaw, National Geographic, "Kids Take Charge: Planet Protectors," 17 June 2019 Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Vladimir Putin’s Russia has, outwardly at least, been one of the world’s most stable and predictable regimes — an assertive authoritarian government propped up by a mix of repression and acquiescence at home. — Leonid Bershidsky, Twin Cities, "Leonid Bershidsky: Russia after Vladimir Putin," 5 June 2019 Some economically vulnerable workers have been less assertive as well, but experts say catering workers have underappreciated leverage. — Noam Scheiber, New York Times, "11,000 People Who Prepare Your Airline Food Are Considering a Strike," 4 June 2019 Being assertive will help build a strong and healthy relationship with others. — Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, "Horoscopes: Aug. 1, 2019," 1 Aug. 2019 But contrary to Western analyses, China, while undeniably more politically assertive in the region, has not become more aggressive militarily. — Kishore Mahbubani, Harper's magazine, "What China Threat?," 10 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'assertive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of assertive

circa 1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for assertive

see assert

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for assertive

assertive

adjective
How to pronounce assertive (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of assertive

: confident in behavior or style

See the full definition for assertive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

assertive

adjective
as·​ser·​tive | \ É™-ˈsÉ™r-tiv How to pronounce assertive (audio) \

Kids Definition of assertive

: having a bold or confident manner an assertive attitude

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on assertive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for assertive

Spanish Central: Translation of assertive

Nglish: Translation of assertive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of assertive for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!