aggression

noun

ag·​gres·​sion ə-ˈgre-shən 

1

: a forceful action or procedure (such as an unprovoked attack) especially when intended to dominate or master

2

: the practice of making attacks or encroachments

especially : unprovoked violation by one country of the territorial integrity of another

warned that any act of aggression could start a war

3

: hostile, injurious, or destructive behavior or outlook especially when caused by frustration

Aggression is often the expression of pent-up rage.

Synonyms

• aggressiveness
• assaultiveness
• bellicosity
• belligerence
• belligerency
• combativeness
• contentiousness
• defiance
• disputatiousness
• feistiness
• fight
• militance
• militancy
• militantness
• pugnacity
• quarrelsomeness
• scrappiness
• truculence

Examples of aggression in a Sentence

He has a lot of pent-up aggression.

behavior that is likely to provoke aggression

dangerous dogs showing aggression toward people

The government says that it will view any attempt to fly over its territory as an act of aggression.

Recent Examples on the Web

She’s also emerged as perhaps the most prominent and outspoken critic in the sports world of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. —Sean Gregory, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024

Leaders summit President Joe Biden will host the first-ever leaders summit between the US, Japan and the Philippines today, the latest attempt to draw Pacific allies closer as the region grapples with China’s aggression and nuclear provocations from North Korea. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

President Joe Biden has defended Ukraine's position on any land grab, urged efforts to curtail Russian aggression and lobbied for another $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

What if Trump doesn’t protect Taiwan from Chinese aggression — something Trump has refused to answer directly in recent interviews? —Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

The intergovernmental forum allowed Europeans to stand united in the face of Russian aggression. —Célia Belin, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2024

New York City has never been immune to heated education fights, but in recent months those fights have taken on a new level of vitriol and aggression, and expanded to focus on a broader menu of divisive issues. —Troy Closson, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Punching, kicking, pushing, and similar aggression accounted for most of the attacks. —Sejal Parekh, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024

Their role is to gather intelligence and target data and share it quickly — as well as occasionally sink ships with medium-range missiles — to help the Pacific Fleet and Air Force repel aggression against the United States and allies and partners like Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines. —Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French agression, going back to Middle French, "attack," borrowed from Latin aggressiōn-, aggressiō, from aggredī "to approach, attack" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at aggress

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aggression

• anti-aggression
• counter-aggression

Kids Definition

aggression

noun

ag·​gres·​sion ə-ˈgresh-ən 

1

: an attack made without reasonable cause

2

: the practice of making attacks

3

: hostile or destructive behavior or outlook

Etymology

derived from Latin aggredi "to attack," from ad- "to" and gradi "to step, go"

Medical Definition

aggression

noun

ag·​gres·​sion ə-ˈgresh-ən 

: hostile, injurious, or destructive behavior or outlook