adj

assertive

uh-STIHV

adj

Confident and direct in stating opinions or defending one's interests, without being aggressive.

"Being assertive in meetings helped her ideas get heard."

"He gave an assertive answer that left no room for doubt."

How to Use Assertive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStanding up for yourself clearly and confidently, without being pushy or aggressive.

Common mistake

Assertive is not the same as aggressive — assertiveness respects other people's views while still stating your own clearly.

Easily confused with

aggressive →

Common pairings

assertive communication be more assertive assertive tone

more assertive comparative, most assertive superlative

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Being _____ in meetings helped her ideas get heard.

From "assert" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-ive", via Medieval Latin assertivus.

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