Word
assertiveness
Phoneticsas·sertive·ness
US/əˈsɝtɪvnəs/
UK/ɐsˈɜːtɪvnəs/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. clear and confident expression of what you want or think, without being rude.
n. confident, direct expression of opinions, needs, or boundaries while respecting the rights of others. Contrasts with both passivity, which avoids expression, and aggression, which disregards others.
Examples
“Her assertiveness helps her ask for what she needs.”
“His assertiveness shows when he calmly tells his manager he needs more time to finish the report.”
“Her quiet assertiveness allowed her to defend the team's budget without alienating senior leaders who expected deference.”
Examples
simple
“Her assertiveness helps her ask for what she needs.”
contextual
“His assertiveness shows when he calmly tells his manager he needs more time to finish the report.”
complex
“Her quiet assertiveness allowed her to defend the team's budget without alienating senior leaders who expected deference.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “assertiveness” in context.
Verb
01. act with assertiveness
“He learned to act with assertiveness in difficult negotiations.”
verb + prep + noun
02. assertiveness grows
“Her assertiveness grows every time she speaks up in meetings.”
noun + verb
03. assertiveness helps
“Assertiveness helps you set boundaries without feeling guilty.”
noun + verb
04. develop assertiveness
“The workshop helps students develop assertiveness for group discussions.”
verb + noun
05. display assertiveness
“She displayed assertiveness by clearly stating her needs in the meeting.”
verb + noun
06. encourage assertiveness
“Good teachers encourage assertiveness while teaching respect for others.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. calm assertiveness
“Managers need calm assertiveness to give clear feedback without upsetting staff.”
adj + noun
08. healthy assertiveness
“Healthy assertiveness helps teenagers say no to peer pressure.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. degree of assertiveness
“She was surprised by the degree of assertiveness needed in sales.”
noun + prep + noun
10. assertiveness without aggression
“The training teaches assertiveness without aggression in conflict.”
11. combine politeness with assertiveness
“Good leaders combine politeness with assertiveness when giving orders.”
12. develop greater assertiveness at work
“Mentoring helped her develop greater assertiveness at work.”
Real-World Examples
“Most leaders could gain from enhancing their assertiveness—not the bothersome, aggressive type, but the constructive abilities that can facilitate change and, crucially, uphold integrity, according to Harvard Business Review.” Etymology
From assertive + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/assertiveness