assertiveness.

The ability or tendency to express needs, views or boundaries clearly without necessarily becoming hostile.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• measured assertiveness
• assertiveness in discussion

On the page

Her assertiveness made the objection unmistakable without humiliating the speaker.

The workshop distinguished assertiveness from both aggression and silent compliance.

Usage notes

Primary category: psychology / character / human behavior. Forms: Usually uncountable. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: characterization, motivation, interpersonal behavior, self-evaluation. Disciplines: psychology, human behavior, character writing. Commonness: moderately common.