Aggressive and Deferential
Opposite meaning words
Aggressive
Aggressive adjective - Having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal.
Usage example: if you don't take a more aggressive approach to this yard pretty soon, the weeds are going to take over completely
Deferential is an antonym for aggressive.
Deferential
Deferential adjective - Marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status.
Aggressive is an antonym for deferential.
Cite this Source
Deferential and Aggressive. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 07, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/aggressive/deferential
Aggressive & Deferential. N.p., 2016. Web. 07 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/aggressive/deferential>.
Deferential or Aggressive. 2016. Accessed August 07, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/aggressive/deferential.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "aggressive" and "deferential" have occurred on timeline