Antonyms for unassertive


Grammar : Adj
Spell : uh-sur-tiv
Phonetic Transcription : əˈsɜr tɪv


Definition of unassertive

Origin :
  • 1560s, "declaratory, positive, full of assertion," from assert + -ive. Meaning "insisting on one's rights" is short for self-assertive (1865).
  • As in modest : adj shy
  • As in mousy : adj drab; quiet
  • As in passive : adj lifeless, inactive
  • As in resigned : adj enduring, passive
  • As in retiring : adj shy, undemonstrative
  • As in shy : adj quiet and self-conscious
  • As in bashful : adj shy
  • As in timid : adj shy
  • As in unassuming : adj shy
  • As in henpecked : adj dominated by one's wife
  • As in timorous : adj afraid
  • As in self-effacing : adj modest
  • As in coy : adj very modest
  • As in demure : adj reserved, affected
  • As in diffident : adj hesitant; unconfident
  • As in fainthearted : adj timid
Example sentences :
  • That the squatters did not themselves recognise the worth of one so unassertive was not to be wondered at.
  • Extract from : « Australian Writers » by Desmond Byrne
  • He was an unassertive, unassuming man, with a genius for being inconspicuous.
  • Extract from : « John M. Synge: A Few Personal Recollections, with Biographical Notes » by John Masefield
  • Would not he too have been melancholy, quiet, unassertive, almost as uninteresting and uninterested as Booth was?
  • Extract from : « The Story of My Life » by Ellen Terry
  • The Eversleighs were very fond of their house, and, in an unassertive way, proud of it.
  • Extract from : « The Mystery of Lincoln's Inn » by Robert Machray
  • Her beauty was not heightened now, but it was displayed with all the grave consciousness of an unassertive renown.
  • Extract from : « Sinister Street, vol. 2 » by Compton Mackenzie
  • In her mind she fixed him in contrast with Transley, the self-confident and aggressive, and Linder, the shy and unassertive.
  • Extract from : « Dennison Grant » by Robert Stead
  • Mrs. Shelley walked to a mirror and looked thoughtfully at her unassertive reflection.
  • Extract from : « The Education of Eric Lane » by Stephen McKenna

Synonyms for unassertive

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019