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
Despite the occasional mutual love, progressives have argued that Sliwa has previously stoked racist fears and encouraged vigilante aggression.
—
Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Should escalation develop from attacks on ships into direct military confrontation with Venezuela, such aggression would appear to be par for the course in inter-American relations.
—Alan McPherson, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2025
Tehran says these attacks confirm that Washington is pursuing aggression rather than diplomacy.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Yet Plemons imbues him with despair, finding a pitiful fragility in his aggression.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggression
Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Should escalation develop from attacks on ships into direct military confrontation with Venezuela, such aggression would appear to be par for the course in inter-American relations.
—Alan McPherson, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2025
Tehran says these attacks confirm that Washington is pursuing aggression rather than diplomacy.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Yet Plemons imbues him with despair, finding a pitiful fragility in his aggression.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggression
Noun
-
Davion Mitchell’s defense and aggressiveness?—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That aggressiveness defined December.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
All three nuclear powers have established their own nuclear triad, consisting of ICBMs, submarines armed with ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft, which ensure their forces can survive a first strike and retaliate, thereby deterring a nuclear attack.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But in the final weeks of the race, both campaigns traded personal attacks.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
One can be sure that the utility of having hostilities with Venezuela for this case is not lost on the administration.—
David Smilde,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Before the Chiefs’ Divisional Round win in January 2024, Jones embraced that hostility by jawing with fans during warmups.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.—
Rafael Escalera Montoto,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
He is being held on a $2 million bond for a murder charge and must pay $200,000, as well as a $5,000 bond for an assault charge, to be released.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Overnight, a show of defiance inside Venezuela from Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello Rondón, who posted a video to social media making his allegiances clear.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
7 Jan. 2026
-
During her own allocution moments later, Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, likewise struck a note of defiance and introduced herself as the First Lady of Venezuela, her face appearing bruised and bandaged.—
Cristian Farias,
New Yorker,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That’s with a 44 percent offensive-zone starting percentage.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
David Ellison launched his WBD offensive shortly after closing the Paramount Skydance merger in August with a trio of unsolicited offers for the entire company, all rejected.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The impact of losing enhanced premium subsidies The political fight around enhanced subsidies, which were enacted in 2021 under the Biden administration, is playing out during the ACA marketplace's open enrollment, when would-be enrollees are picking their health plans for 2026.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The fights are being broadcast on DAZN pay-per-view.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Gatica was tracked down, arrested on charges of DUI and related offenses, and booked into the Orange County Jail.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The Tigers’ offense, which has scored at least 88 points in all three games, erupted for a season-best showing.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggression. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share