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 Another 16% experienced discriminatory comments or abuse, while 10% experienced physical aggression. — Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 The ethically messy experiment lasted less than a week, but the volunteer guards’ rapid tumble into cruelty and aggression has endured in our cultural imagination. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 Klara sees people more clearly because her view isn’t filtered through aggression or egotism. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026 And no conflict has crystallized this attraction to the world’s stronger nations over their weaker victims of aggression as has Russia’s war in Ukraine. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aggression

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggression

Noun

Furthermore, CNNs are exceeding in disease detection and predicting disease aggressiveness and patient prognosis.

— Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
So will the aggressiveness of the defender after giving up a rebound.

— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggressiveness

Noun

In his statement, Dan also blamed Russia for a spate of attacks in recent weeks on civilian maritime transport in the Black Sea, which has left at least three people dead and has raised fears of an escalation in Russia's war against Ukraine.

— STEPHEN McGRATH, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
The attack ads that exaggerate and lie about their opponents, without mentioning their myopic support for their dear leader whose baggage has destroyed America’s standing in the world, are astounding.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

Hatred toward minorities is not new in America, but the recent surge in hostility aimed at Indian Americans is staggering.

— Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Riyadh said the discussions were aimed at keeping diplomatic channels open and preventing another escalation in hostilities.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

Officers arrived to find a man with minor lacerations and detained Manfre on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, the knife.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Oren is charged with two rape cases, including one that stems from an alleged assault at Alon’s Miami Beach condo on New Year’s Eve in 2016.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

This hint of connection between them is later made concrete when, at the demonstration, the two are complicit in an act of defiance — throwing a cobblestone at a policeman, badly injuring him — and must skip town for the night.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
These behaviors can be signals of distress but may be mistaken for defiance.

— Jermaine F. Williams, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of defiance

Noun

Ukrainian officials say that the offensive has disrupted Russia’s assault on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, key Ukrainian strongholds in the Donbas region.

— Anastasiia Parafeniuk, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Advertisement Leaders contemplating an October surprise or an offensive after the midterms must remember that uncomfortable truth.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 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

There was a far greater degree of comfort offense, getting back to more pick-and-roll and dribble handoffs.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Lakers scoring phenom Luka Doncic missed his first game of the young season with back tightness, leaving a giant hole in their offense with the NBA’s leading scorer (36 points per game) sitting out.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of offense

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aggregations

aggression

aggressions

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Style

“Aggression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggression. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of aggression

noun

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