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

Her defense argued that Owens had been the aggressor in the dispute and cited Lorincz’ mental health. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

The offensive line, which was a major question mark coming into the season, was the aggressor all night and kept the Wolverines on their heels. —The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

Drones allow aggressors to target critical infrastructure that cripples a defender’s economy at low cost and with high accuracy. —Omar Al-Ubaydli, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025

Republicans, traditionally seen as more hostile to government, are often viewed as the shutdown aggressors. —W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 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