AGGRESSION Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

aggression

noun

ə-ˈgre-shən

Definition of aggression

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Powerful Native nations and smaller communities resisted and limited colonial aggression through diplomacy, alliances, petitions and court cases, and wars of resistance. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026 Director James Marcus Haney crafts a propulsive portrait of Ukrainian youth living on a knife’s edge, denied the certainty of a future in a brutal war of aggression thrust upon them by Russia. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026 Testosterone levels ramp up, aggression elevates, and fights break out. — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026 There’s a lot of brute force and aggression and anger and emotion, and women, for years, have worked on processing all of those things. — Tom Roland, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aggression

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggression

Noun

Indeed, heads quickly began to turn as the Chicago Bears defensive tackle showed no fear and an abundance of aggressiveness.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Is the nation’s vaunted politeness actually just passive-aggressiveness?

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of aggressiveness

Noun

Ukraine's State Emergency Service said Tuesday that Russian strikes on Kyiv had killed one person and wounded seven other people since the start of the day, with attacks carried out on the capital's gas stations.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
The number of products deployed or dollars spent says little about an organization’s ability to withstand an attack.

— Shane Buckley, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

Carriers have felt more comfortable bringing ultra-large container vessels through the area even with the hostilities in the Middle East lingering.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
The surge in withdrawals comes as the ICC faces hostility from Washington and a leadership crisis after ousting its own chief prosecutor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

Deputies arrested Asher on suspicion of assault with a firearm and battery causing great bodily harm and booked him into Siskiyou County Jail.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Independent Russian media regularly report about returning veterans involved in assaults, drunken brawls and even killings.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

This defiance can be thought of as a refusal to feel shame—or, at least, as the confidence to believe that the shamers are wrong.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2026
This, itself, is the ultimate act of defiance in the face of America’s neverending frontier.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of defiance

Noun

Last week, Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a lightning offensive against Yemeni government forces, seizing control of the country’s entire Red Sea coast, including the towns and islands around the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 20 Sep. 2026
Last week, in a shock offensive, the Yemeni rebel group known as the Houthis seized territory near the Red Sea’s strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

— Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

Trump's belligerence reinvigorated Canada's Liberal Party, with Mark Carney winning the April 2025 election to continue on as prime minister.

— Chris Brennan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Unfortunately, however, the warmth and love of the old pub-rocking 101’ers has been traded for a new aggression and belligerence.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of belligerence

Noun

Campbell is now charged with simple assault and harassment, which are misdemeanor and summary offenses.

— Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
The offense works best when running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are gaining yardage in chunks, and McVay is calling plays that create space for receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to make routine and sometimes spectacular catches.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of offense

Browse Nearby Words

aggregations

aggression

aggressions

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“Aggression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggression. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of aggression

noun

Example Sentences

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