Synonyms of aggressor

aggressor

noun

ə-ˈgre-sər 

as in invader

one that starts armed conflict against another especially without reasonable cause

a group of smaller states had formed an alliance to deter potential aggressors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• invader
• raider
• attacker
• assailant
• militant
• instigator
• initiator
• plunderer
• combatant
• ambusher
• belligerent
• hawk
• pillager
• warmonger
• militarist
• jingoist
• war hawk
• ambuscader
• forayer
• cobelligerent
• jingo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defender
• pacifist
• peacemaker
• dove
• nonbelligerent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of aggressor

The trooper who conducted the investigation had determined Baker as the primary aggressor in the incident and took her into custody. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

The story explains the philosophical shift in more detail, but new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is basically trying to get time back on their side and be the aggressor. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Simpson says a law-enforcement officer who is from Broward County and was on the other boat was the aggressor. — Larry Seward, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026

There, Williams published a newsletter, The Crusader, to encourage Black people to engage in self-defense rather than nonviolence, whether during civil rights protests or confronting racist aggressors. — Aaron Coy Moulton, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026