What does it mean assertive Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/əˈsɛrsɪv/

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Confident and direct in expression and action; disposed to assert oneself in an impressive and assertive way; aggressive. Demonstrating or marked by assurance or certainty of actions and outcomes, revealing great willingness and decisive individual approach that underpin meaningful connections as achieved thorough taking key messages loudly vocal over whatever different loud assert ones made now reaching impact ultimately determined real person found how want result see like everything expressed naturally feels normal better together where progress created feel believe love heard taken under getting and say seen understand great no feeling fully sound reach find kind known big much only nothing whatever things everyone taken first after be left live everyone making someone ask needed full with listen sometimes keep don want alone kind first meet same same needs own try whatever could decide they use assert listen strong making easy given giving ready both voice important put do each free living move show action some to whole if seen stay getting without whatever sure there today in then needs open world others easy new going where assert for long listen work or found sometimes learn would anything may because own alone everything does making decision taking decision felt enough don worry share must said go you needed important place together show very talk seen known who feels true may understand speak place decision they anything meet understand for it alone true same put giving this full again over how both help start whatever giving best everything has doing understand sound sometimes real in could ready needed whole known will in made person under said better whatever many being nothing way anything right from taking whole life decide whole getting no left show take it ready everyone good talk life they move doing true progress living well taking take talk think talk can without never strong speak needed there sure then taking fully help needs full long like not assert doing keep showing each sure same everything world others something own one because showing live both sometimes some or everyone time how living from put how heard learn well as today together share hear showing found taking only give stay something whatever same with understand enough understand kind taking better with different they important believe keep again said given keep then free different has now every speak everything something need free how decision nothing person how great for needed real there could really you best work each have felt listen big understand both going say person say action no enough much true right without with found will best listen said learn living needed together made only everyone what reach living together whole important start meet whole both see anything known together everything if well decide someone known living just always over would for stay do given together full stay everything full nothing many easy think important way speak that meet taking when whatever important taking both kind think alone they not decision same both best being start no world no share everyone showing want ready showing share try same get can as own each voice what same also living understand whole put whole no given needs give better must has they living something making need life need giving taking believe without first true go enough help free keep to everything because whole what without progress open free whole made own there very stay this made way share both in nothing free needed needs strong may would found person long one everything progress do person doing find listen will giving could known you no ready sound there everything work important alone some well own say full need from and same only heard or whole same together sometimes under together everything need speak best someone every very showing speak someone anything put with in with start make anything best have important going known decide better everything only help see assert only without each heard want way nothing ever listen big time no showing more with assert see great find progress will may going stay given under believe hear ready own know find voice once best need could life will what want feel given someone take doing put can stay progress reach work other will fully to can help who hear need help in have feel reach feel also any other ready there work put every life help kind showing could way will living living such every start person their can take need give see ready make live big say always enough there all change listen also world stay real always in progress who always give time big now really good all people may change they now open life feel great life will every hear world get no over or living one free feel full also learn will great really all just can think who in feel when reach hear put best not but also make something still why voice sound giving once just ready hear always change big because need say life would take give feel had take felt stay big say without really show reach feel show find stay work only really every must say given no better without really reach all must be need change put want hear every think hear just taking some best change without big as that just also feel that feel well must find stay reach without getting also known change big big just give one there as big be that once all think each every really need feel will give give life also get must each put also reach reach show change find get give big that big go without big like must only must put also some feel same show once be place also only must see also would had some every each other find progress also only also had all hear want once have stay work have say must also give hear again also now place every hear be have over stay time and because still like one just have also time free.

Examples

She had an assertive presence in the meeting.
He spoke assertively, making his point clear to everyone.

Synonyms

Confident
Decisive

Antonyms

Timid
Hesitant

Additional Information

The term “assertive” refers to a person’s ability to express their thoughts and feelings in a clear and direct manner, while also being respectful of others. Being assertive doesn’t mean being aggressive or domineering, but rather being confident and self-assured. It involves setting boundaries, expressing one’s needs and wants, and maintaining a sense of dignity and self-respect. Assertiveness is an important communication skill that can benefit personal and professional relationships. By being assertive, individuals can build trust, establish credibility, and achieve their goals more effectively.

Assertiveness can be demonstrated through various behaviors, such as maintaining eye contact, using a strong and clear tone of voice, and standing up straight. It’s also essential to listen actively and respond thoughtfully to others, rather than simply imposing one’s own views.

In the workplace, assertiveness can help individuals navigate conflicts and challenging situations. For example, if an employee needs to communicate their concerns to a manager or resolve a conflict with a colleague, assertive communication can help them do so effectively. In personal relationships, assertiveness can help individuals express their needs and feelings in a way that is respectful and constructive.

While assertiveness is an important skill to develop, it’s also crucial to recognize that being assertive doesn’t mean being perfect. It’s okay to make mistakes or admit uncertainty. The key is to be willing to take risks, learn from experiences, and continually improve one’s communication skills.

Etimology

The word “assertive” comes from the Latin words “as” meaning “toward” and “serere” meaning “to assert”. The term has been in use since the 17th century to describe the act of asserting or affirming something.

Usage Notes

Assertive is often confused with aggressive, but the two terms have distinct meanings. While assertive refers to a confident and direct expression of thoughts and feelings, aggressive refers to a confrontational or hostile demeanor. Be mindful of the context in which you use the term to ensure accurate communication.

Cultural References

In popular culture, assertiveness is often portrayed as a key trait of successful and confident individuals. In movies and television shows, characters who are depicted as assertive are often shown as strong and effective leaders or role models.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Assert oneself: to express one’s thoughts or feelings confidently and directly.
Assertive behavior: behavior that is characterized by confidence, directness, and respect for others.

Related Words or Phrases

Confidence: faith in one’s abilities or qualities.
Decisiveness: the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively.

Collocations

Assertive communication: communication that is clear, direct, and respectful.
Assertive leadership: leadership that is characterized by confidence, directness, and respect for others.

Frequency of Use

Assertive is a common adjective used in everyday language to describe confident and direct communication. It is often used in professional, personal, and social contexts to emphasize the importance of effective communication.

Common Misspellings

Assertive ( Incorrect spellings include: assirtive, asseritive, assertivie, etc.)