nonaggressive
|non-ag-gress-ive|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑnəˈɡrɛsɪv/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒnəˈɡrɛsɪv/
not inclined to attack or be forceful
Etymology
'nonaggressive' originates from Modern English, specifically formed by the prefix 'non-' (meaning 'not') added to the adjective 'aggressive'.
'aggressive' comes from French 'agressif' and from Latin 'aggressivus', ultimately from the Latin verb 'aggredi' / 'aggredior' (past participle 'aggressus'), formed from ad- 'to' + gressus/gradus 'step' (from 'gradi', 'to step'). The modern English adjective 'aggressive' developed from these earlier forms and the negative form 'nonaggressive' was formed in Modern English by prefixation.
Originally related to 'going toward' or 'stepping forward' (Latin) and then to 'attacking' or 'setting upon'; over time it took the sense of 'hostile, forceful, or assertive'. 'Nonaggressive' therefore evolved to mean 'not hostile or forceful'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not aggressive; not inclined to behave in an angry, hostile, or forceful way; peaceful or passive in manner.
She was perceived as nonaggressive in meetings, preferring to listen rather than interrupt.
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Adjective 2
lacking forcefulness or assertiveness; not strongly assertive when pursuing goals or defending a position.
A nonaggressive negotiation style may work with cooperative partners but can be a disadvantage with tougher counterparts.
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Last updated: 2025/10/14 15:05