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

The story explains the philosophical shift in more detail, but new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is basically trying to get time back on their side and be the aggressor. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Carrington's hard foul is more proof, visible proof, of who the real bigots and aggressors are. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Simpson says a law-enforcement officer who is from Broward County and was on the other boat was the aggressor. — Larry Seward, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026

There, Williams published a newsletter, The Crusader, to encourage Black people to engage in self-defense rather than nonviolence, whether during civil rights protests or confronting racist aggressors. — Aaron Coy Moulton, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 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