Words / B1

uh-GRES-iv/əˈɡresɪv/

Aggressive means ready to attack or argue: aggressive driving; an aggressive dog. It can also mean very forceful in business (an aggressive sales target). Violent is stronger and physical; assertive is confident without hostility. Aggression is the noun. Do not praise a colleague as aggressive in a UK reference — it usually sounds like a warning.

Meaning

Ready to attack or argue; also very determined to succeed.

Examples

• “The report criticised aggressive driving near the school.”
• “The report criticised aggressive driving outside the school gates.”
• “An aggressive pricing strategy undercut the smaller shops, which is the business sense.”

Good to know

aggressive driving / behaviour. Business: aggressive targets. Noun: aggression. Confident without hostility: assertive. Stronger: violent.

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