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

Brazil’s government announced emergency measures including a national task force to execute arrest warrants, electronic tracking for aggressors and mobile units assisting women experiencing violence. —Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

An aggressor nation that kills people on Caribbean fishing boats without evidence or due process. —Jill Lawrence, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026

Prosecutors alleged in a responding motion that Sidney was not the aggressor in the confrontation and that Sidney’s brother separated the pair when the argument began. —Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

Under the American and British flags, Diego Garcia defends the Indo-Pacific region against aggressors who do not trouble their consciences about laws, pacts, or the rights of weaker nations. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 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