Definition of "assertive" []

• Inclined to bold or confident assertion; aggressively self-assured. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "In its annual defense white paper, released Tuesday, the Japanese government for the first time used the word "assertive" in describing China's behavior toward its neighbors."
• "Patterson seems like a decent fellow, but lacking in assertive leadership skills."
• "Billups was assertive from the start, instead of deferring to teammates as he usually does early in games."