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

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

The conduct of the Ukrainian military has never been seriously contested, and most Americans agree that Moscow is the aggressor and that Kyiv is fighting a just war with important geopolitical consequences. — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026

The two satellites are designed to swap positions as aggressor and target throughout a series of demonstrations playing out over the next few months. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026