aggressor

noun

ag·​gres·​sor ə-ˈgre-sər 

: one that commits or practices aggression

Synonyms

• 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

Then there’s his shocking failure to distinguish between aggressor and victim in the conflict, and his bizarre negotiating tactic of giving away the West’s best bargaining chips — security guarantees for Ukraine, a path to its NATO membership — before talks have even begun. —Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 19 June 2025

Israel has violated Iran and should be tried in an international trial as a war aggressor. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 June 2025

If the military is the aggressor and protesters remain largely peaceful, Trump risks losing support. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025

If Donald Trump finally learns to distinguish the aggressor from the victim—or at least realizes that Putin has been playing him—the U.S. president could support Ukraine in earnest without worrying much about China expanding its assistance to Russia. —Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025

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