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 Its task was to intercept and engage a human-piloted aggressor aircraft. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026 Unlike radar, this allowed the drone to detect and track the heat signature of the aggressor without revealing its position as would be the case with radar. New Atlas, 26 Jan. 2026 The nation’s rival then wasn’t China or Russia but Germany, the aggressor in World War I. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026 It’s filled to bursting with antioxidants, which create a forcefield around the skin, protecting it from environmental aggressors like pollution and UV, which can dull, clog, and age skin. Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aggressor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressor
Noun
  • So, one hypothesis would be that your friend’s toddler got sick, and those invaders killed off a lot of his beneficial gut microbes.
    Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 17 Feb. 2026
  • February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and one South Florida teenager and her friend have teamed up to make sure women in their home country of Ukraine get breast-cancer screenings despite the country’s ongoing war against Russian invaders.
    Najahe Sherman, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The Taopiaopiao release centers on an underperforming local police unit that fabricates minor cases to pad its record, only to uncover a genuine criminal conspiracy after a burst water main exposes a gang of tomb raiders posing as repair workers.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Vestar was born in 1988 during private equity’s first boom, the same year a brash NYC firm known as Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts took down mighty RJR Nabisco for $25 billion ($70 billion in today’s terms), back when deals were called LBOs and dealmakers were known as corporate raiders.
    Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • As Son combined with Denis Bouanga – MLS’ most dangerous attacker three years running – the club counted 19 of its last 22 regular-season goals (plus four of six in the postseason) thanks to them.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The military said in a statement that the attackers overnight had sought to breach the checkpoint but were thwarted by security forces.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Aggressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressor. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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