aggressive

modif.

1. Energetic and forceful

   assertive, forward, pushing, enterprising, forceful, domineering, self-assertive, outspoken, bold, energetic, vigorous, dynamic, driving, determined, competitive, activist, proactive, pushy*, hard-hitting*, hustling*, take-charge*, go-ahead*, go-getter*, Type A*. *

   Antonyms submissive, retiring, passive.

2. Combative

   belligerent, combative, pugnacious, militant, martial, encroaching, warlike, attacking, bellicose, threatening, advancing, offensive, antagonistic, disruptive, truculent, hostile, intrusive, destructive, warmongering, hawkish, onrushing, contentious, quarrelsome, intruding, battering, rapacious, invading, on the offensive, guilty of aggression, up in arms*, on the warpath*, feisty*, scrappy*, trigger-happy*. *

   Antonyms peaceful*, peace-loving, dovish.

aggressive implies a bold and energetic pursuit of one's ends, connoting, in derogatory usage, a ruthless desire to dominate and, in a favorable sense, enterprise or initiative; militant implies a vigorous, unrelenting espousal of a cause, movement, etc. and rarely suggests the furthering of one's own ends; assertive emphasizes self-confidence and a persistent determination to express oneself or one's opinions; pushing is applied derogatorily to a forwardness of personality that manifests itself in officiousness or rudeness