1
as in aggressiveness
an inclination to fight or quarrel
though the dogs have a reputation for aggression, many of their owners insist they make gentle pets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
diplomats warned that any aggression by either side could easily turn into a full-scale war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aggression
An explosive source of passive aggression, M3GAN is beloved by moviegoers for her unfiltered reactions and atypical combination of traits.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 June 2025
Nia asks with an aggression so passive that every one of my English neighbors showed a sign of respect.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 June 2025
The continent was already reeling from the war in Ukraine and increasingly worried about the specter of Russian aggression.
—Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
The Ukrainian president conceded that momentum for the Coalition of the Willing, a group of 31 countries that have pledged to strengthen support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, has slowed because of U.S. ambivalence over providing a backstop.
—Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggression
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 June 2025
Nia asks with an aggression so passive that every one of my English neighbors showed a sign of respect.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 June 2025
The continent was already reeling from the war in Ukraine and increasingly worried about the specter of Russian aggression.
—Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
The Ukrainian president conceded that momentum for the Coalition of the Willing, a group of 31 countries that have pledged to strengthen support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, has slowed because of U.S. ambivalence over providing a backstop.
—Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggression
Noun
-
Iran, previously saying its nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes, has hit back with waves of missile attacks on Israel.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
-
Kernodle received a delivery less than 10 minutes before the attack, which happened just after 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Fu also singled out Israel and called for efforts to bring an end to the hostilities.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
-
The News Gulf nations expressed concern about US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, but largely sidestepped blaming Washington for the strikes.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
-
Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
Thousands of people took to the streets, with women burning their headscarves in defiance.—
Sara Monetta,
NBC news,
19 June 2025
-
The ceremony, held at the Lyric Opera in Chicago, is a black-tie affair, and Chang’s Canadian tuxedo and acceptance speech embodied a general mood of defiance at the annual Oscars of the American restaurant scene.—
Caroline Hatchett,
Robb Report,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
While Quansah gave away a penalty to make it 2-1, England defended Spain’s second half onslaught incredibly well both collectively and individually.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Shops have been closed across Tehran, including in its famed Grand Bazaar, as people wait in gas lines and pack roads leading out of the city to escape the onslaught.—
Joseph Krauss,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
The result of that fight was Paul's first and only pro loss, dropping a split decision to Fury.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Then, in 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts do not have a role to play in deciding legal fights over partisan gerrymandering, when state's voting lines are drawn to entrench the political party in power.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Healthcare facilities that serve low-income patients have reported a recent spike in no-shows as residents lacking documentation opt to skip medical visits amid rumors of raids at hospitals and clinics.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
-
Julia and Jock told me the event was cathartic, especially with everything going on: the ICE raids, the casual erasure of trans people.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
The continuous uncertainty, chaos and belligerence created by this man could drive one to drink — and so does the thought of being stuck with him for four whole years.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2025
-
Kennedy’s needling belligerence and openness to unpopular views served him well as a skeptic.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggression. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share