Synonyms of aggression

aggression

noun

ə-ˈgre-shən 

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

• aggressiveness
• hostility
• defiance
• fight
• belligerence
• assaultiveness
• pugnacity
• belligerency
• bellicosity
• combativeness
• militancy
• militance
• feistiness
• truculence
• contentiousness
• scrappiness
• quarrelsomeness
• disputatiousness
• irritability
• antagonism
• fierceness
• militantness
• unfriendliness
• chip on one's shoulder
• imperialism
• militarism
• irritableness
• jingoism
• rudeness
• hyperaggressiveness
• petulance
• disagreeableness
• peevishness
• testiness
• crossness
• surliness
• irascibility
• fractiousness
• crankiness
• orneriness
• fretfulness
• grouchiness
• grumpiness
• querulousness
• acidity
• biliousness
• captiousness
• pettishness
• waspishness
• huffiness
• irascibleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pacifism
• nonaggression
• friendliness
• sociability
• benevolence
• gentleness
• antimilitarism
• cordiality
• geniality
• pleasantness
• affability
• amiability
• graciousness
• mildness
• kindliness
• antiaggression
• amicability
• anti-imperialism
• complaisance
• amenability
• placability

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

• attack
• assault
• offensive
• offense
• onslaught
• raid
• strike
• attempt
• onset
• bombardment
• blitzkrieg
• rush
• invasion
• blitz
• incursion
• counterattack
• charge
• bombing
• barrage
• coup de main
• descent
• ambush
• siege
• ambuscade
• breakthrough
• counteroffensive
• envelopment
• foray
• counterstrike
• volley
• pillage
• counteraggression
• sortie
• air raid
• sally
• counterassault
• sack
• storm
• fusillade
• flanking
• ravage
• hail
• salvo
• cannonade
• whammy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defense
• resistance
• opposition
• guard
• protection
• security
• defensive
• shield
• shelter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of aggression

On the one hand, Argentina is all about aggression and physicality. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026

Argentina, as is their trademark, began asserting themselves in the second half, slightly dialing up the aggression — maybe too much so for midfielder Enzo Fernandez. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 19 July 2026

Many of the physical aggressions KFF Health News identified in CMS inspection reports were perpetrated by residents with diagnoses of dementia, schizophrenia, or other cognitive disorders. — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026

Joshua Zirkzee continues to be an imperfect fit at centre-forward, flashing a shot outside of Arthur Okonkwo’s post early on but largely lacking the aggression and decisive movement needed from a No 9. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 July 2026