as in assaults
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
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Recent Examples of aggressions
Race, bad bosses and the fly-on-the-wall fun of watching office politics and micro-aggressions play out makes this workplace suspense novel a total page-turner (as well as a binge-worthy limited television series).
—
Laura Zigman, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Oil prices have surged since February 28, when the US and Israel opened aggressions by assassinating Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei in a series of missile strikes that also killed the commander of the IRGC, the minister of defense, and other top brass.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
As servers delicately navigate around the women, serving plates of food that will never be touched, micro-aggressions are tossed, disguised as jokes.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
If and when such aggressions fully materialize, the United States will lack the moral and ethical authority to credibly object.
—Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Her visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which its nearest neighbors see as an homage to Japan’s past wartime aggressions, have also angered both of those nations.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
The proceedings seem to be going fine until unexpected tensions and aggressions start to break out among the dancers.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
For Brasília, Beijing constitutes an indispensable strategic partner, but Washington, even after its recent aggressions, remains an irreplaceable global power.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
Challenges are also proceeding against the other frenzied aggressions prompted by the fake immigration emergency, including a lawsuit by the ACLU over the creation of the Alligator Alcatraz facility.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
Laura Zigman, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Oil prices have surged since February 28, when the US and Israel opened aggressions by assassinating Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei in a series of missile strikes that also killed the commander of the IRGC, the minister of defense, and other top brass.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
As servers delicately navigate around the women, serving plates of food that will never be touched, micro-aggressions are tossed, disguised as jokes.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
If and when such aggressions fully materialize, the United States will lack the moral and ethical authority to credibly object.
—Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Her visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which its nearest neighbors see as an homage to Japan’s past wartime aggressions, have also angered both of those nations.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
The proceedings seem to be going fine until unexpected tensions and aggressions start to break out among the dancers.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
For Brasília, Beijing constitutes an indispensable strategic partner, but Washington, even after its recent aggressions, remains an irreplaceable global power.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
Challenges are also proceeding against the other frenzied aggressions prompted by the fake immigration emergency, including a lawsuit by the ACLU over the creation of the Alligator Alcatraz facility.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressions
Noun
-
The girl reported the assaults to her elementary school teacher while Dixon was incarcerated on unrelated charges, according to court records.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Sawtelle said Coogler also has been punished while awaiting trial in jail for being involved in assaults on other inmates.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
At the most recent debate, hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52 on May 6, the seven candidates again clashed over housing and immigration, while Becerra and Steyer faced fierce attacks from both sides of the political spectrum, The Los Angeles Times reported.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
As the United States has escalated its attacks on Iran, there’s something pleasingly transgressive about bringing Iranian elements into such overtly Western music—so much so that the songs without Yaghmai’s playing seem a little subdued in comparison.—
Molly Mary O’Brien,
Pitchfork,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Several other concerns were raised during the roughly three-hour hearing, including questions about how to best protect visitors and participants from federal immigration raids.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
While those behind the recent maritime raids have yet to be identified, previous ship captures have often involved young Somalis from impoverished communities and armed extremists affiliated with global terror networks.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Russia appeared to be flexing its military muscle in a show of force with its latest aerial onslaughts on Ukraine.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
-
Wardley, 31, had never lost in 21 bouts before Saturday, and somehow withstood numerous onslaughts from Dubois (23-3) without ever touching the canvas in a remarkable display of courage.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The Oilers won nine series in the last four years and represented the West in unsuccessful offensives against the Florida Panthers in each of the past two Junes.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
The army has retaken territory from ethnic militias, including the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which had launched powerful offensives along with pro-democracy resistance forces in northeastern Myanmar near the Chinese border and in western Myanmar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rostas was arrested and charged with state forgery, larceny, interfering with an officer and criminal impersonation offenses.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
-
Prosecutors have been told to consider whether protest placards, banners and chants viewed on social media may amount to offenses of stirring up hatred during the rallies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Negotiations, compromise, limited strikes, sanctions, temporary deals—none of them stopped, or could stop, Iran’s drive for nuclear-weapons capacity, its incessant efforts to subvert neighbors, or its attempts to destroy the state of Israel.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
The Knicks treated the fans who made the trip to a historic performance, making 12 of their first 13 attempts from 3-point range and tying an NBA record with 18 made 3-pointers in the first half.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggressions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressions. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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