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
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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
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Recent Examples of aggression
But while some—like the one described by Ashley Tisdale French in a viral essay for The Cut—trade mainly in mean-girl passive aggression, other progressive-minded ones have been piqued by ICE, becoming important resources for grassroots organizing, information sharing, and mutual aid.
—
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
This balance between aggression and control is a key requirement for autonomous combat systems.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
What worries soccer officials, politicians and diplomats isn’t just ICE’s aggression.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
On fourth-and-1 from the Patriot 14, Broncos coach Sean Payton opted for aggression and failed instead of kicking the field goal.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggression
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
This balance between aggression and control is a key requirement for autonomous combat systems.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
What worries soccer officials, politicians and diplomats isn’t just ICE’s aggression.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
On fourth-and-1 from the Patriot 14, Broncos coach Sean Payton opted for aggression and failed instead of kicking the field goal.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggression
Noun
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The brothers now couch surf between family members’ homes and Airbnbs, intent on documenting what some describe as the unprecedented aggressiveness of Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.—
Sophia Peyser,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
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Gardner, who has impressed as a reserve recently with his relentless energy and aggressiveness, recorded 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, 1-of-2 shooting on threes and 3-of-5 shooting from the foul line, 11 rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes on Saturday.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One person was killed and two others were injured in an overnight Russian attack using drones and powerful glide bombs on the central Dnipropetrovsk region, according to the head of the regional military administration, Oleksandr Hanzha.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
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The overnight attacks follow a recent lull in strikes on energy infrastructure by both sides, which was proposed by the US.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Stuart said the measure reflects a sobering escalation in political hostility and violence.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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In his second term, their defining emotions are hostility and happiness.—
Christine Zhang,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Martinez and another man were charged in October with assault with a deadly weapon, accused of following the agents' vehicles and initiating the collision with Exum's SUV that led to the shooting on Chicago's south side.—
James Hill,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Pretti was shot while agents were evidently seeking to detain a man, Jose Huerta-Chuma, whom Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said had an extensive criminal record including domestic assault.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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José Antonio Kast’s decisive victory, driven by anxiety over crime and migration, arrived without overt institutional defiance.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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That would include open defiance of a court order.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Israel’s offensive has killed more than 71,400 Palestinians since 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry — with more than 480 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the latest ceasefire began.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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Israel’s offensive has killed at least 71,660 Palestinians since 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry — with more than 480 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the latest ceasefire began.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Joining George in his fight to stop the slasher are a particularly suspicious student (Ian Sera) and a famous tennis pro (Lynda Day George) who, bored with the celebrity touring circuit, decides to join up as an undercover detective.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
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Some Republicans are frustrated with the deal, raising the possibility of a prolonged shutdown fight when the House returns Monday to vote on the funding package.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Alexis Flores, 25, the bank employee, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy, drug and weapons offenses.—
Cameron Macdonald,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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That’s because star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the focal point of Seattle’s offense, while shutdown cornerback Christian Gonzalez is the centerpiece of the Patriots’ defense.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggression. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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