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Women are a little more assertive in terms of our ability to express our feelings when we fall in love.
Alicia Machado

Meaning of "assertive" in the English dictionary

Dictionary
DICTIONARY
section

PRONUNCIATION OF ASSERTIVE

assertive  [əˈsɜːtɪv] play
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GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF ASSERTIVE

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Assertive is an adjective.
The adjective is the word that accompanies the noun to determine or qualify it.

WHAT DOES ASSERTIVE MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Assertiveness

Assertiveness is the quality of being self-assured and confident without being aggressive. In the field of psychology and psychotherapy, it is a learnable skill and mode of communication. Dorland's Medical Dictionary defines assertiveness as: "a form of behavior characterized by a confident declaration or affirmation of a statement without need of proof; this affirms the person's rights or point of view without either aggressively threatening the rights of another or submissively permitting another to ignore or deny one's rights or point of view". During the second half of the 20th century, assertiveness was increasingly singled out as a behavioral skill taught by many personal development experts, behavior therapists, and cognitive behavioral therapists. Assertiveness is often linked to self-esteem. The term and concept was popularized to the general public by books such as Your Perfect Right: A Guide to Assertive Behavior by Robert E. Alberti, and When I Say No, I Feel Guilty: How To Cope Using the Skills of Systematic Assertiveness Therapy by Manuel J. Smith.

Definition of assertive in the English dictionary

The definition of assertive in the dictionary is confident and direct in claiming one's rights or putting forward one's views. Other definition of assertive is given to making assertions or bold demands; dogmatic or aggressive.

WORDS THAT RHYME WITH ASSERTIVE


abortive
əˈbɔːtɪv
accretive
əˈkriːtɪv
completive
kəmˈpliːtɪv
constitutive
ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːtɪv
convertive
kənˈvɜːtɪv
dilutive
daɪˈluːtɪv
distortive
dɪsˈtɔːtɪv
divertive
daɪˈvɜːtɪv
exertive
ɪɡˈzɜːtɪv
expletive
ɪkˈspliːtɪv
furtive
ˈfɜːtɪv
nonassertive
ˌnɒnəˈsɜːtɪv
overassertive
ˌəʊvərəˈsɜːtɪv
revertive
rɪˈvɜːtɪv
self-assertive
ˌsɛlfəˈsɜːtɪv
sportive
ˈspɔːtɪv
substitutive
ˈsʌbstɪˌtjuːtɪv
suppletive
səˈpliːtɪv
supportive
səˈpɔːtɪv
unassertive
ˌʌnəˈsɜːtɪv

WORDS THAT BEGIN LIKE ASSERTIVE

assentingly
assentive
assentiveness
assentor
assert
assertable
assertedly
asserter
assertible
assertion
assertively
assertiveness
assertiveness training
assertor
assertoric
assertory
assess
assessable
assessable income
assessed income

WORDS THAT END LIKE ASSERTIVE

active
alternative
assortive
automotive
competitive
contortive
cooperative
creative
effective
executive
in the negative
interactive
native
negative
perspective
positive
relative
retortive
tortive
transportive

Synonyms and antonyms of assertive in the English dictionary of synonyms

SYNONYMS

SYNONYMS OF «ASSERTIVE»

The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «assertive» and belong to the same grammatical category.
synonyms of assertive

Translation of «assertive» into 25 languages

TRANSLATOR
online translator

TRANSLATION OF ASSERTIVE

Find out the translation of assertive to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.
The translations of assertive from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «assertive» in English.

Translator English - Chinese

坚定自信的
1,325 millions of speakers

Translator English - Spanish

enérgico
570 millions of speakers

English

assertive
510 millions of speakers

Translator English - Hindi

मुखर
380 millions of speakers
ar

Translator English - Arabic

حزما
280 millions of speakers

Translator English - Russian

напористой
278 millions of speakers

Translator English - Portuguese

assertivo
270 millions of speakers

Translator English - Bengali

জিদপূর্ণ
260 millions of speakers

Translator English - French

assuré
220 millions of speakers

Translator English - Malay

Tegas
190 millions of speakers

Translator English - German

selbstbewusst
180 millions of speakers

Translator English - Japanese

自己主張の強い
130 millions of speakers

Translator English - Korean

자기주장을 뚜렷이 내세우는
85 millions of speakers

Translator English - Javanese

Tegas
85 millions of speakers
vi

Translator English - Vietnamese

quả quyết
80 millions of speakers

Translator English - Tamil

உறுதியான
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Marathi

ठळक
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Turkish

iddialı
70 millions of speakers

Translator English - Italian

che sa imporsi
65 millions of speakers

Translator English - Polish

asertywny
50 millions of speakers

Translator English - Ukrainian

напористою
40 millions of speakers

Translator English - Romanian

asertiv
30 millions of speakers
el

Translator English - Greek

διεκδικητική
15 millions of speakers
af

Translator English - Afrikaans

selfgeldend
14 millions of speakers
sv

Translator English - Swedish

påstridig
10 millions of speakers
no

Translator English - Norwegian

påståelig
5 millions of speakers

Trends of use of assertive

TRENDS

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «ASSERTIVE»

The term «assertive» is quite widely used and occupies the 38.280 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.
0
100%
FREQUENCY
Quite widely used
82
/100
The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «assertive» in the different countries.
Principal search tendencies and common uses of assertive
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «assertive».

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «ASSERTIVE» OVER TIME

The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «assertive» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «assertive» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.

Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about assertive

EXAMPLES

10 QUOTES WITH «ASSERTIVE»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word assertive.
1
William F. Buckley, Jr.
The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.
2
Bryan Cranston
I think naturally, if you're an actor, there's a high level of assertiveness that you need to have to survive this business. There's boldness in being assertive, and there's strength and confidence.
3
Taye Diggs
I've always been attracted to women who are assertive and have confidence - qualities older women possess. They've been on the Earth a little longer. They're more seasoned. They don't play games. They know what they want, and they're not afraid to tell you.
4
James Dobson
Although individual temperaments vary, boys are designed to be more assertive, audacious, and excitable than girls are.
5
Brooke Elliott
I need to learn to be more assertive.
6
Alicia Machado
Women are a little more assertive in terms of our ability to express our feelings when we fall in love.
7
Janel Moloney
The hardest thing about being an actor, for me, is that if you are the 0.00001% of individuals who wants to do it, you're a freak. And you're an assertive freak. Though actors are often shy, there's this tremendous assertive extroversion in you somewhere.
8
Camille Paglia
The North American intellectual tradition began, I maintain, in the encounter of British Romanticism with assertive, pragmatic North American English - the Protestant plain style in both the U.S. and Canada, with its no-nonsense Scottish immigrants.
9
Jane Pauley
New Yorkers, by reputation, are fast-talking, assertive and easily annoyed; I fit right in.
10
V. S. Pritchett
The Canadian spirit is cautious, observant and critical where the American is assertive.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «ASSERTIVE»

Discover the use of assertive in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to assertive and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
Be More Assertive: Teach Yourself
AUTHOR INSIGHTS Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience. TEST YOURSELF Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.
Suzie Hayman, 2010
2
Assertive Outreach in Mental Healthcare: Current Perspectives
Special features: Provides a contemporary analysis of current service developments in the area Written by experts in the field Covers cross-cutting issues relevant to all areas of community mental health care Includes multiple perspectives: ...
Caroline Williams, Mike Firn, Simon Wharne, 2011
3
Be assertive: Simple ideas for getting what you want
Packed full of useful tips and practical guidance, and written in an entertaining, easy-to-read style, this book will show you how to master your own emotions and take control of your relationships with others.
Infinite Ideas, 2012
4
Assertive Discipline: Positive Behavior Management for ...
In this third edition, greater emphasis is placed on a proactive approach to dealing with student behavior, as well as the value of building positive relationships with students.
Lee Canter, Marlene Canter, 2001
5
Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More ...
Draws on more than a decade of research to identify the challenges being faced by today's young adults, offering insight into how unprecedented levels of competitiveness, economic imbalances, and changes in sexual dynamics are resulting in ...
Jean M. Twenge, 2006
6
Assertive Discipline Lee Canter's Assertive Discipline: ...
In this third edition, greater emphasis is placed on a proactive approach to dealing with student behavior, as well as the value of building positive relationships with students.
Lee Canter, Marlene Canter, 1992
7
Your Perfect Right: Assertiveness and Equality in Your Life ...
The ninth edition has been completely revised and updated to include new material on assertive expression in email and social networks, what to do when assertiveness doesn't work, anger expression, persistence, treatments for social anxiety ...
Robert E. Alberti, Michael L. Emmons, 2008
8
Assertive Community Treatment: Evidence-Based Practice or ...
This book fills that gap; it is a comparative analysis of the implementation of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), an evidence-based practice employed in two states that promises to empower the well-being of individuals suffering from ...
Sandra J. Johnson, 2011
9
The Assertive Woman in Zora Neale Hurston's Fiction, ...
This book explores her development as an assertive woman and outspoken writer, emphasizing the impact of the African American oral traditions and vernacular speech patterns of Harlem, Polk County, and her hometown of Eatonville, Florida on ...
Pearlie Mae Fisher Peters, 1998
10
The assertive social worker
Social work is a stimulating and exciting career but it can also be frustrating and exhausting. This book provides social workers with an effective range of skills for handling difficult people and situations.
Patricia McBride, 1998

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «ASSERTIVE»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term assertive is used in the context of the following news items.
1
Leadership: Be assertive, not aggressive
Everyone must be a leader, there is no room for super-chickens, but be assertive not aggressive, says Heather Dansie, associate research ... «Media Week, Jul 15»
2
Women's World Cup: USA lift the trophy after Carli Lloyd shreds Japan
We should've been more assertive and actively seek[ing] goals.” Related: Women's World Cup 2015: USA beat Japan – the internet reacts. «The Guardian, Jul 15»
3
Football transfers & pre-season training
"But an assertive half-century from Stevens against his former county helped Kent canter through to the interval, as the rain just about held off." ... «BBC Sport, Jul 15»
4
India needs to be raise Tibet issue with Chinese, says former foreign …
"I do believe that we need to be more assertive about our concern about the Tibetans and their fate," he said. He said the Tibetans have ... «Economic Times, Jul 15»
5
Tell Me About It: Try 'broken-record' technique for an assertive 'No'
On saying, "No" in stronger and stronger language: I'm a big fan of the "broken-record" technique. You say the same thing in the same ... «Philly.com, Jun 15»
6
Assertive Discipline
It was called Assertive Discipline and was so successful in the classroom that they expanded its use to the home setting. In fact, they wrote a ... «The Delta Discovery, Jun 15»
7
Why Patients Should Be Assertive in Demanding Second Opinion
The healthcare system has had an exclusive grip on all patient care decisions for far too long at the expense of consumer's rights. Clinicians ... «AllAfrica.com, Jun 15»
8
Buhari Is Not Being Assertive As a General - Sen Marafa
Sen Kabiru Garba Marafa has stated that the President Muhammadu Buhari is not being assertive as a general though in retirement. Speaking ... «AllAfrica.com, Jun 15»
9
Iranian military embodies “assertive peace”
TEHRAN, Jun. 27 (MNA) – President Hassan Rouhani said the government while maintaining constructive interaction with international ... «Mehr News Agency - English Version, Jun 15»
10
GCC gets more assertive as Iran nears nuclear pact
Gulf states have long feared a sanctions-free Iran and as a nuclear agreement edges closer they have become more aggressive in preparing ... «Trade Arabia, Jun 15»

REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Assertive [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/assertive>. Jun 2026 ».
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