aggressor

noun

ag·​gres·​sor ə-ˈgre-sər 

: one that commits or practices aggression

Synonyms of aggressor

• invader
• raider
• attacker

Examples of aggressor in a Sentence

Each country accused the other of being the aggressor.

a group of smaller states had formed an alliance to deter potential aggressors

Recent Examples on the Web

Footage of the shooting has divided viewers, with finger-pointing over who was the aggressor and who was the victim. —Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026

Minnesota was the clear aggressor for the last 10 minutes of regulation, and outshot Seattle 4-0 in overtime, ending it on a Mats Zuccarello goal after a set-up pass from Kirill Kaprizov. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026

How tragic that today the United States' civilian leadership has again used the armed forces as an aggressor. —Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026

Lazzaro argued in court the mall victim was the aggressor and had taunted Hernandez over his history as a government informant, saying his reputation as a snitch would put him in grave danger back in prison. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "attacker, assailant," from aggredī, adgredī "to approach, attack" + -tor, agent suffix — more at aggress

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aggressor

• assessor
• compressor
• confessor
• depressor
• hairdresser
• necessar
• oppressor
• possessor
• processor
• professor
• repressor
• successor

Kids Definition

aggressor

noun

ag·​gres·​sor ə-ˈgres-ər 

: a person or country that attacks without reasonable cause

Medical Definition

aggressor

noun

ag·​gres·​sor ə-ˈgres-ər 

: one who exhibits aggression