AGGRESSIONS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

aggressions

noun

plural of aggression

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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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 aggressions The United States deploys about 28,500 troops in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggressions from North Korea. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 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 Vitello, meanwhile, just takes it — macro- and micro-aggressions alike. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 June 2026 Athens was a belligerent city-state that fell victim to its own aggressions. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 The sharp comedy follows their meetings over the course of the school year, revealing the micro-aggressions, class distinctions, and prejudices of the council members, which Spector addresses with clever, amusing insight. — Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressions

Noun

According to the sheriff's office, the assaults happened along the Highway 92 corridor in Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding counties.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
The disturbing incident comes amidst a sharp increase in both felony and misdemeanor assaults in the subway system.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of assaults

Noun

One part of this offensive doctrine is the persistent but unpredictable attacks on tankers leaving the Gulf – so as to keep oil prices high.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Kyiv has stepped up its attacks on Russia this year, with long-range missiles and swarms of drones targeting military industries and energy facilities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

However, Iran analysts are highly skeptical that Tehran will prove capable of launching any such large-scale ground offensives any time soon.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Israel’s ongoing offensives have become a wedge issue for Jewish and non-Jewish Americans, leading to protests and raising antisemitism fears and questions about America’s close ties to Israel.

— David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of offensives

Noun

That tradition came to an end with the imposition of a series of new national security offenses following the 2019 protests.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Now he’s blending parts of both offenses to fit Mensah, who will have the authority to choose the best option of what Dawson presents to him, depending on what the defense shows just before the snap.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of offenses

Noun

Trump has publicly stepped back from efforts to make diplomatic progress with Iran, facing deadlocked attempts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and intensifying questions about the toll an unpopular war has taken on the US military.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Deebo Samuel, not Cowing, was the team’s punt returner to open the game, and Cowing misjudged one of his early attempts, allowing the ball to bounce in front of him.

— Matt Barrows, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of attempts

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“Aggressions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressions. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of aggressions

noun

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