aggressive

[uh-gres-iv] /əˈgrɛs ɪv/
adjective
1.
characterized by or tending toward unprovoked offensives, attacks, invasions, or the like; militantly forward or menacing:
aggressive acts against a neighboring country.
2.
making an all-out effort to win or succeed; competitive:
an aggressive basketball player.
3.
vigorously energetic, especially in the use of initiative and forcefulness:
an aggressive salesperson.
4.
boldly assertive and forward; pushy:
an aggressive driver.
5.
emphasizing maximum growth and capital gains over quality, security, and income:
an aggressive mutual fund.
6.
Medicine/Medical.
  1. (of a disease or tumor) spreading rapidly or highly invasive; difficult or impossible to treat successfully.
  2. pertaining to a risky surgery or treatment, or to a medication that has grave side effects:
    aggressive chemotherapy.
Origin
1815-25; aggress(ion) + -ive
Related forms
aggressively, adverb
aggressiveness, aggressivity
[ag-re-siv-i-tee] /ˌæg rɛˈsɪv ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), noun
antiaggressive, adjective
antiaggressively, adverb
antiaggressiveness, noun
hyperaggressive, adjective
hyperaggressively, adverb
hyperaggressiveness, noun
overaggressive, adjective
overaggressively, adverb
overaggressiveness, noun
preaggressive, adjective
preaggressively, adverb
preaggressiveness, noun
pseudoaggressive, adjective
pseudoaggressively, adverb
superaggressive, adjective
unaggressive, adjective
unaggressively, adverb
unaggressiveness, noun
Can be confused
aggressive, passive.
Synonyms
1. pugnacious, militant. 2. forceful, enterprising, assertive.
Antonyms
1. friendly. 2. retiring, shy, timid, hesitant.
Examples from the web for aggressive
  • It is quite evident that these techniques may enter into the service of hostile or aggressive tendencies.
  • Hostile, aggressive and negative interactions resulted.
  • The astronauts become much more hostile and aggressive as their time in space increases too.
  • Research shows that when we practice self-restraint, we also tend to prefer aggressive messaging and movies.
  • Paradoxically, as the rooster grows less aggressive, he becomes more intimidating.
  • As has been stated....chimps are aggressive, territorial, strong and dangerous.
  • He was very aggressive, yelling into the telephone.
  • We also have an aggressive budget for next year.
  • Calling passive-aggressive people on their behavior often has good results.
  • He is extremely aggressive; he says that his mission is to physically intervene to uphold international law.
British Dictionary definitions for aggressive

aggressive

/əˈɡrɛsɪv/
adjective
1.
quarrelsome or belligerent: an aggressive remark
2.
assertive; vigorous: an aggressive business executive
Derived Forms
aggressively, adverb
aggressiveness, noun
Word Origin and History for aggressive
adj.

1791, from Latin aggress-, past participle stem of aggredi (see aggression) + -ive. In psychological use from 1913, first in translations of Freud. Related: Aggressively; aggressiveness.

aggressive in Medicine

aggressive ag·gres·sive (ə-grěs'ĭv)
adj.

  1. Inclined to behave in a hostile fashion.

  2. Tending to spread quickly, as a tumor; fast-growing.