as in invader
one that starts armed conflict against another especially without reasonable cause
a group of smaller states had formed an alliance to deter potential aggressors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggressor
The aggressor is intensifying attacks on Ukrainian cities, energy facilities, enterprises, and infrastructure.
—
Dmytro Razumkov, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Any participation of Russian gymnasts in international competitions, regardless of athletes' presence of a status of neutrality, is threatened by using such participation to demonstrate recognition of the aggressor country as a civilized world.
—Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
When force starts, support for the aggressor must end, and condemnation must begin.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
This is the same president who habitually confuses aggressor and victim in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
—Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressor
Dmytro Razumkov, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Any participation of Russian gymnasts in international competitions, regardless of athletes' presence of a status of neutrality, is threatened by using such participation to demonstrate recognition of the aggressor country as a civilized world.
—Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
When force starts, support for the aggressor must end, and condemnation must begin.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
This is the same president who habitually confuses aggressor and victim in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
—Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressor
Noun
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All this from a man who once said Ukraine should cede land to its invader and rolled out the red carpet for Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
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By shaping how certain immune genes work, gut bacteria help our bodies learn the difference between friendly microbes and harmful invaders.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Its namesake, cattleman Oliver Loving, was shot by a band of raiders during a cattle drive in 1866, and died of shock a few days later after a doctor didn’t amputate his gangrenous arm.—
Mitch Moxley,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
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All of them have been broken into by raiders over the centuries, their walls smashed or lids prised off despite once being locked shut with metal clasps.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Donell Harvin, a homeland security and public health emergency expert at Georgetown University, told CNN on Sunday that the attacker may have conducted pre-operational surveillance and come up with a plan that maximizes fatalities and damage.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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This prompted the attacker to run toward Arsenal Technical High School, east of downtown.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressor. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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