aggressor

Definition of aggressornext
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

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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 aggressor In Kyiv, 62-year-old art teacher Larysa Fuzik said the international community needed to put more pressure on Russia as the aggressor. Reuters, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026 White said there was neither evidence nor trial testimony from the witness that Galvan was the first aggressor. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026 But others, where relentless, shelter-soaking rain is the aggressor, are no less vivid and terrifying, amplified by the rattling, percussive intensity of extraordinary sound design by Lena Esquenazi, Valeria Mancheva and Antonio Porem. Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026 But the Zags answered with an 8-0 run to take a 63-60 advantage and were the aggressors the rest of the way. Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aggressor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressor
Noun
  • The game got chaotic in the final minutes as several pitch invaders ran onto the field attempting to reach Messi.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Cytokines are the immune system’s chemical messengers that fire up immune cells and tell them to fight invaders, like bacteria and viruses.
    Sonya Collins, SELF, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Inspectors roam elaborate tunnels used by tomb raiders and smugglers over different eras.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Amongst the sandy plains of the Burning Springs region and throngs of raiders and ruthless cap collectors is Prime Video’s Fallout character, The Ghoul (Walton Goggins).
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The attacker who gunned down revelers at a bar in Austin, Texas, over the weekend appears to have posted antisemitic, anti-Christian and misogynistic posts in the year and a half leading up to the deadly shooting, according to law enforcement sources in Texas.
    Anna Schecter, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Meanwhile, police used license plate information that Parrish had called in before approaching Kearse to identify the attacker’s vehicle and home address, where Kearse was arrested.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Aggressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressor. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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